Program Descriptions
Program Number
98.003
Title
Ocean Freight Reimbursement Program (OFR)
Federal Agency
UNITED STATES AGENCY FOR INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPOMENT
Authorization
Foreign Assistance Act of 1961, Section 123(b).
Status
Active
Objectives
Reimburses registered U.S. private voluntary organizations (PVOs) to ship commodities overseas for use in privately funded development and humanitarian assistance programs.
Types of Assistance
Project Grants.
Uses and Use Restrictions
Grant funds may be used to pay transportation charges on shipments by PVOs registered with USAID to further the efficient use of U.S. voluntary contributions for development, relief, and the rehabilitation of friendly people. Participating PVOs are responsible for ancillary costs such as commodity acquisition, warehousing, insurance, local transportation and distribution. OFR awards will not exceed $150,000 per year.
Eligibility Requirements
Applicant Eligibility
Applicants must be a U.S. PVO registered with USAID's Office of Private and Voluntary Cooperation; receive at least 20 percent of its total annual financial support for its international programs from non-U.S. government sources; ship only those commodities and only to those countries approved by USAID; have staff or consignees in-country to ensure proper pick-up and distribution of commodities; and provide Duty-Free Certification with the application for each country to which commodities will be shipped.
Beneficiary Eligibility
Registered PVOs in the United States, as well as people located in USAID eligible countries who are in need of humanitarian assistance or relief, benefit from these grants.
Credentials/Documentation
Evidence of legal capacity, economic feasibility, and financial responsibility relative to the activity for which assistance is requested.
Application and Award Process
Preapplication Coordination
As may be specified in a published Request for Application (RFA). This program is excluded from coverage under E.O. 12372.
Application Procedure
As specified in a published Request for Applications. This would include the applicant organization's name, address, contact person and information; project objectives; funding and budget; proposed partners; executive summary, organizational overview, program description, program management and structure; monitoring and consignee receiving distribution system.
Award Procedure
Awards are made on the basis of competitive Technical Evaluation Committee review of applications. Each application is scored using criteria incorporated in the Request for Applications. Awards are given based on relative scores.
Deadlines
Specified in the published Request for Application which appears on the DCHA/PVC web site and in the Federal Register.
Range of Approval/Disapproval Time
Approximately five to seven months from the receipt of applications.
Appeals
If an application is rejected, the reasons for rejection are fully stated. Applicants may request a debriefing of the RFA on the strengths and weaknesses of the proposal. Such requests will be routed to the OFR program officer.
Renewals
Assistance Considerations
Formula and Matching Requirements
Not applicable.
Length and Time Phasing of Assistance
OFR Program grant agreements are for a period of two years.
Post Assistance Requirements
Reports
Each award recipient is required to provide on a quarterly basis, the Voluntary Agency Quarterly Report of Shipping Activity which provides data on the actual destination of shipments, types of commodities shipped and subsequent drawdown of program funds. Additional reporting may be required to support congressional requests for information.
Audits
OFR grant awards will not exceed $150,000 for each year. Nonfederal entities that expend less than $500,000 a year in Federal awards are exempt from Federal audit requirements for that year, except as noted in OMB Circular No. A-133 (Revised June 27, 2003 in Federal Register).
Records
The grantee shall maintain adequate records and accounts to assure that grant funds are used for authorized purposes.
Financial Information
Account Identification
12-2278-0-1-151.
Obligations
FY 07 $2,700,000; FY 08 est not available; and FY 09 est not reported.
Range and Average of Financial Assistance
From $2,500 to $150,000 each year.
Program Accomplishments
Not available at this time.
Regulations, Guidelines and Literature
The awards made pursuant to the OFR RFA will be subject to the requirements of Title 22 of the Code of Federal Regulations, Part 226, Administration of Assistance Awards to U.S. Non-Governmental Organizations, Part 202, Overseas Support of Supplies by Voluntary Non-Profit Relief Agencies, and the applicable Standard Provisions for U.S. Non-Governmental Grantees. The Standard Provisions and 22 CRF Parts 226 and 202 are available on the USAID website at http://www.usaid.gov and http://www.usaid.gov/policy/ads/cfr.html#22
Information Contacts
Regional or Local Office
Not applicable.
Headquarters Office
Ocean Freight Program Officer, Office of Private and Voluntary Cooperation, Bureau for Democracy, Conflict and Humanitarian Assistance, United States Agency for International Development, Washington, DC 20523. Telephone: (202) 712-4795.
Web Site Address
http://www.usaid.gov
USAID keyword: ofr
Related Programs
None.
Examples of Funded Projects
The OFR Program provides small competitive grants to approximately 50 U.S. PVOs each year. PVOs are reimbursed for the costs to transport donated commodities, such as medical supplies, agricultural equipment, educational supplies and building equipment to developing countries.
Criteria for Selecting Proposals
Preference is given to applicants that have conformed to the evaluation criteria stated in the Request for Application.
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