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Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance

Program Descriptions

CATALOG OF FEDERAL DOMESTIC ASSISTANCE

10.774: National Sheep Industry Improvement Center

Objectives: To assist the U.S. sheep and goat industries by strengthening and enhancing the production and marketing of sheep and goats and their products in the United States.

PROGRAM AND AWARD FINANCIAL AND INFORMATION CONTACTS

ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS FINANCIAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE INFO.

APPLICATION AND AWARD PROCESS INFORMATION CONTACTS

RELATED PROGRAMS ASSISTANCE CONSIDERATIONS

PROGRAM ACCOMPLISHMENTS POST ASSISTANCE REQUIREMENTS

10.774 ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS:

Applicant Eligibility: Eligible entities include public, private, or cooperative organizations, associations, including corporations not operated for profit, Federally-recognized Indian Tribes or public or quasi-public agencies. An individual is not considered an eligible entity. Fifty-one percent of the entity must be owned by citizens of the United States or reside in the United States after being legally admitted for permanent residence.

Beneficiary Eligibility: Eligible entities include public, private, or cooperative organizations, association, including corporations not operated for profit, Federally-recognized Indian Tribes or public or quasi-public agencies. An individual is not considered an eligible entity. Fifty-one percent of the entity must be owned by citizens of the United States or reside in the United States after being legally admitted for permanent residence.

Credentials/Documentation: Applicants must demonstrate that a competent management team is in place, clearly defining each management team member's role, responsibilities and credentials. Applicants must demonstrate that the management team has the technical, marketing and financial expertise to manage all aspects of the proposed project or program.

10.774 APPLICATION AND AWARD PROCESS:

Preapplication Coordination: Eligible applicants should submit proposed projects on the "Proposal Application, National Sheep Industry Improvement Center" form (under review, available in 2000). This program is excluded from coverage under E.O. 12372.

Application Procedure: Proposal Application, NSIIC, may be submitted at any time to: NSIIC, PO Box 281028, Lakewood, CO 80228-1028. (Physical location: NSIIC, Denver Federal Center, Building 20, Room A1311, Lakewood, CO 80228). Funding and policy decisions are made by the NSIIC Board of Directors. Board of Director application review sessions are held following the end of each calendar quarter (March 31, June 30, September 30 and December 31). Applications must be received on or before the end of each calendar quarter to be considered. Applications not received within the allotted time period will be considered in the next review session.

Award Procedure: The "Proposal Application" is used by the NSIIC Board of Directors to negotiate agreements and complete additional forms. Funding is made through rural development.

Deadlines: March 31, June 30, September 30, and December 31.

Range of Approval/Disapproval Time: Several months, including approval by the NSIIC Board of Directors.

Appeals: Applications submitted, but not funded at a regular Board of Directors review session, may be resubmitted. Applications not funded or carried forward will include a summary stating the reasons.

Renewals: In general, funding by the NSIIC is intended to be a one-time affair. The financial status of the company and the requested amount of funding are analyzed carefully at the time the decision is made to fund the project. If the Board determines the amount of funding to be inappropriate, the figures are adjusted during the final negotiations with the applicants. Thus, the applying entity, is then in a position to meet the terms of the agreement.

Criteria for Selecting Proposals: The Board of Directors will consider the impact the project will have on the sheep or goat industries by evaluating the financial feasibility, business system, management team, potential impact, and summary of overall strengths and weaknesses of the proposed project.

Examples of Funded Projects: None.

Range and Average of Financial Assistance: Negotiated with the Board of Directors under the limitations set forth in the annual NSIIC Strategic Plan. Each program or project loan may not exceed $1 million.

10.774 RELATED PROGRAMS:

None.

10.774 PROGRAM ACCOMPLISHMENTS:

The Center's purpose is to promote activities and provide assistance to efforts that strengthen and enhance the production and marketing of sheep or goat products in the United States. The impact of the Center's actions on the sheep and goat industries will be more readily evident in the long-term. However, in the short-run, the success of the Center's activities may be measured primarily by its performance in creating the mechanisms for getting funds into the hands of entities whose project will achieve the purposes for which the Center was established by congress. The Center has completed and signed a Grant Agreement with an intermediary and are assisting and monitoring the organization and startup of the Intermediary Relending Organization. Funds are expected to be available through that intermediary by early 2000.

10.774 FINANCIAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE INFO:

Federal Agency: NATIONAL SHEEP INDUSTRY IMPROVEMENT CENTER, (DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE )

Type of Assistance: Direct Loans; Guaranteed/Insured Loans; Direct Payments for Specified Use; Project Grants.

Obligations: NSIIC is a revolving fund with a $20 Million appropriation from Congress (ultimately to be $50 Million appropriated at which time the fund will privatize) without fiscal year limitations. Note: Equity Investments will be awarded.

Budget Account Number: 12-4202-0-3-452.

Authorization: Federal Agriculture Improvement and Reform Act of 1996, Public Law 104-127.

Regulations, Guidelines, and Literature: Strategic Plan, Proposal Application.

10.774 INFO CONTACTS:

Regional or Local Office: None.

Headquarters Office: NSIIC, P.O. Box 281028, Lakewood, CO 80228-1028. Physical location: Denver Federal Center, Building 20, Room A1311, Lakewood, CO 80228-1028. Phone: (303) 236-2858. FAX: (303) 236-7683. (Home Page)

(See Appendix IV for more contact info.)

10.774 ASSISTANCE CONSIDERATIONS:

Formula and Matching Requirements: NSIIC will: (1) Not exceed 50 percent of the project cost on equity investments included in Direct Payments for Specified Use; (2) not exceed $1 million for a direct loan; and (3) require that loan guarantees: (a) have an eligible lender, as defined in the NSIIC Strategic Plan; (b) not exceed $ 1 million; (c) not exceed 80 percent of the guaranteed loan; and (d) be assessed a 1 percent per annum guarantee fee by NSIIC.

Length and Time Phasing of Assistance: Terms are negotiable between applicants and the NSIIC Board of Directors. The term of a loan may not exceed the shorter of: (i) The useful life of the activity financed; or (ii) 40 years.

Uses and Use Restrictions: (1) Making capital available for increasing production or improving production efficiency; (2) improving marketing efficiency or product quality; (3) promoting coordination in marketing systems and between industry participants; (4) communicating to meet the information needs of the industry and to inform the public and industry of the Center's activities; and (5) taking actions that will maintain the viability of the Center.

10.774 POST ASSISTANCE REQUIREMENTS:

Reports: Periodic reports showing the progress of the project are required from eligible entities that receive NSIIC funds. The frequency and the detail required in these reports are proportionate to the risk and amount of money invested in the project.

Audits: Periodic audits shall be made as part of the recipient's system of financial management and internal control to meet terms and conditions negotiated with the NSIIC Board of Directors or other agreement. Generally accepted accounting principles will be used by NSIIC. Nonprofit organizations will have audits made in accordance with USDA regulations for audit form at OMB Circular No. A-133, "Audits of Institutions of Higher Learning and other Nonprofit Institutions."

Records: Successful applicant receiving funds from NSIIC shall maintain adequate records and accounts using generally accepted accounting principles to assure that the funds are used for authorized purposes.