Emergency Request

USDA
TO:

Cortney Higgins
Desk Officer
Office of Management and Budget

United States
Department of
Agriculture
Trade and Foreign
Agricultural Affairs
Foreign
Agricultural
Service
1400 Independence
Ave, SW
Stop 1052
Washington, DC
20250-1052

THROUGH: Ruth Brown
Departmental Clearance Officer
Office of the Chief Information Officer
FROM: /

Ken Isley
Administrator
)0(
Foreign Agricultural Service

SUBJECT: Request for Emergency Approval for a New Information Collection
Package for the Agricultural Trade Promotion Program
This request is for the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) review and emergency
approval of a new collection of information for the Agricultural Trade Promotion Program
(ATP). The Foreign Agricultural Service is preparing to implement the ATP. FAS is
requesting emergency approval by August 15, 2018, to begin accepting applications under
this new program.
The ATP is a cost-share program that is designed to reimburse nonprofit U.S. agricultural
trade organizations, nonprofit state regional trade groups, U.S. agricultural cooperatives,
and state agencies that conduct approved foreign market development activities. When
considering eligible nonprofit U.S. trade organizations, FAS gives priority to organizations
that have the broadest producer representation and affiliated industry participation of the
commodity being promoted. Eligible activities can be generic or branded in nature. U.S.
for-profit entities whose size does not exceed 300 percent of the small business size
standards published at 13 CFR part 121, Small Business Size Regulations, may participate
in an ATP Participant's brand promotion program.
The final rule will be published in the Federal Register to notify applicants of ATP
provisions. Up to 70 applicants are expected to apply for funding under the ATP.
We are requesting emergency approval of a new information collection package by August
15, 2018, in order to quickly provide assistance to eligible entities.
If there are any questions or concerns, please call Curt Alt at (202) 690-4784.

USDA is an Equal Opportunity Employer.