FAS Food Aid Regulations Babette Gainor Deputy Director

FAS Food Aid Regulations Babette Gainor Deputy Director Food Assistance Division

Agenda n n Purpose for new regulations Changes made in the regulations n n Additions Modifications Removals Implications of the Final Rule on your organization

Regulations for USDA Food Aid Programs n n n 48 CFR Part 470 (USDA Acquisitions) 7 CFR Part 1496 (Deleted) 7 CFR Part 1499 (Food for Progress) 7 CFR Part 1599 (Mc. Govern-Dole) 7 CFR Part 3019 (USDA Administrative Requirements for Agreements)

Why New Regulations? n n n Implications of Farm Bill Improve guidance to public Provide clear expectations of the public Contain program constraints and processes within agreements Incorporate Federal Acquisition Regulation provisions for procurement Align with USDA grant regulations 7 CFR 3019

Why New Regulations? n Allow for greater transparency through the use of Federal Register Notices n n n Program solicitation Training/Meeting invitations Priority country input/comments Section 416 b availability Gain efficiencies in operations n n Single line of contact Recognize experience & performance

Highlight of Additions to Regulations n n Mid-term and final evaluations (1499. 13) Noncompliance section (1499. 14) Connecting performance of participants between FAS programs Transparency and use of Part 3019 in program regulations

Highlight of Modifications to Regulations n n n Allow participants to retain funds from claims (cargo and commodity) Procurement process Definitions/terms n n n Agriculture product Grants Awards Recipient Agency Cooperating Sponsor Subrecipient Participant Flexible agreement & report format

Highlight of Deletions from Regulations n n n 7 CFR part 1496 Use of specific agreement/report formats Timeframes

Effective Date of Final Rule MAY 26, 2009

Existing Agreements n n In General – will follow old regulations that were in existence when participant signed the agreement EXCEPTIONS: n n Provisions contained in 7 CFR 1496 Provisions contained in 48 CFR 470 Provisions governed by 7 CFR 3019 Any changes agreed upon between FAS and participant

Agreements Signed After 5/26 n n n New regulations will apply in their entirety Participants should anticipate longer agreement documents Additional guidance is under development and will be posted to the FAS website

QUESTIONS?