Regulations last checked for updates: Nov 22, 2024

Title 22 - Foreign Relations last revised: Oct 28, 2024
§ 201.50 - Purpose.

This subpart describes:

(a) The methods by which USAID will make payment or reimbursement for commodities and commodity related services which have been furnished;

(b) The documentation required to be submitted to USAID for the purpose of obtaining such payment or reimbursement; and

(c) The terminal date for presentation of documents which USAID requires as a condition for payment or reimbursement.

§ 201.51 - Methods of financing.

Under procurements subject to this part 201, the following methods of financing may be employed by USAID In each case, the method of financing shall be consistent with provisions in the pertinent implementing documents.

(a) Direct reimbursement. Upon presentation to USAID of the documents specified in § 201.52, a borrower/grantee will be reimbursed for the cost of commodities and commodity-related services procured by the borrower/grantee directly or procured by other importers with the authorization of the borrower/grantee, if such commodities or services are eligible under the implementing document and under this part 201 for USAID-financing.

(b) Letter of commitment to a bank. At the request of the borrower/grantee, USAID will issue a letter of commitment to a bank for a specified amount in dollars. Reimbursement to a bank will be in accordance with the terms of such letter of commitment for sight payments made for the account of an approved applicant. Any such payment by a bank made in anticipation of a letter of commitment and falling within the scope of payments authorized by such letter of commitment when issued, will be deemed to be a payment to be reimbursed by USAID thereunder.

(1) Requests for bank letters of commitment. All requests for bank letters of commitment shall be in the English language and shall be submitted to USAID by the borrower/grantee in duplicate. They shall contain the following:

(i) Identification of the loan or grant agreement;

(ii) The dollar amount of the letter of commitment;

(iii) The name and address of the bank to which the letter of commitment is to be issued;

(iv) The name and address of the approved applicant;

(v) The expiration date to be stated in the letter of commitment, which shall be not later than the final date specified in the implementing document for submission of documentation to the bank as a basis for disbursement against the letter of commitment, except that, if a terminal shipping date is provided in the implementing document, the expiration date shall be the last day of the month following the month in which the terminal shipping date occurs.

(vi) Identification of the items to be financed under the letter of commitment (including the Schedule B identification).

(2) Approved applicant's request to bank—(i) Form and effect of request. An approved applicant may apply to the bank holding a letter of commitment for the issuance, confirmation, or advice of a commercial letter of credit for the benefit of a supplier, or may instruct the bank to make payments at sight to such supplier, or may instruct the bank to make payments at sight to or for the account of the borrower/grantee.

(ii) Borrower/grantee assignment under a letter of commitment. The borrower/grantee's request to USAID for a letter of commitment shall be deemed notification to USAID of assignment of any rights to receive reimbursement for the specified funds under the related implementing document. USAID, by issuance of the letter of commitment, shall be deemed to have consented to such assignment. Any such assignment or consent shall inure to the benefit of the bank's legal successors and assignees.

(iii) Requirements imposed by bank. The borrower/grantee and the approved applicant shall be deemed to have consented to imposition by the bank upon the beneficiary of any letter of credit or payment instruction of such requirements as the bank deems necessary in order to comply with its applicable obligations to USAID. Such consent shall be deemed an express condition incorporated in any request of the approved applicant under paragraph (b)(2)(i) of this section.

(3) Reimbursement of bank. Upon presentation to USAID of the documents described in § 201.52, USAID will reimburse the bank for any amounts paid by it in dollars to or on behalf of the approved applicant pursuant to a letter of commitment, subject, however, to compliance by the bank with the requirements of subpart H. Such documents in the normal course should be presented to USAID promptly. Bank charges will be eligible for reimbursement if authorized in the letter of commitment. Reimbursement normally will be made within 7 days by an electronic funds transfer.

(c) Bank charges under letters of commitment. (1) To claim reimbursement for commissions, transfers or other charges, not including interest on advances, the bank shall submit the Voucher SF 1034 and shall attach thereto a copy of the payment advice which identifies the costs being billed.

(2) To claim reimbursement for interest on advances, the bank shall claim reimbursement on the Voucher SF 1034, attaching thereto:

(i) The monthly statement of advance account established under the letter of commitment, in duplicate, showing:

(A) The opening balance;

(B) The date and amount of each type of charge attributable to the letter of commitment, indicating the number of the letter of commitment, subsidiary letter of credit, or payment instruction or request under which the charge was made;

(C) The date and amount of each USAID reimbursement to the bank, indicating either the USAID bureau voucher number or the number of the letter of commitment, subsidiary letter of credit, or payment instruction or request under which the payment was made; and

(D) The closing balance;

(ii) The bank's monthly advice of charge, in duplicate, showing:

(A) The outstanding balance in the advance account on each day of the period covered; and

(B) The amount of interest charged during the period.

(3) Certification. Each claim for reimbursement shall have endorsed thereon or attached thereto a certification by an authorized representative of the bank that the charges for which payment is being claimed are in accordance with the schedule of charges agreed on between the bank and the approved applicant or beneficiary.

(4) Report. The bank shall submit a report showing the financial status of each letter of commitment issued to it by USAID. The content, format and frequency of the report shall be prescribed in the letter of commitment. The report shall be prepared in an original and two copies, and distributed as follows: USAID/W (original), approved applicant (copy) and cognizant Mission (copy). The report to USAID/W should be sent to the Office of Financial Management, Cash Management and Payment Division (M/FM/CMP), USAID, Washington, DC 20523-7702. The report shall be certified by an authorized signatory of the bank.

(d) Direct letter of commitment to a supplier. (1) At the request of a borrower/grantee, USAID may issue a direct letter of commitment to a supplier assuring payment by USAID of specified amounts to cover the cost of commodities and commodity-related services. The letter of commitment to a supplier will identify the purchase contract to which it relates and the implementing document under which it is issued.

(2) Assignment may be permitted as provided for in the direct letter of commitment.

[55 FR 34232, Aug. 22, 1990, as amended at 64 FR 17535, Apr. 12, 1999]
§ 201.52 - Required documents.

(a) Commodities and commodity-related services. Claims for reimbursement or payment with respect to commodities and commodity-related services shall be supported by the documents listed in paragraphs (a)(1) through (8) of this section or by such other documents as may be required in the letter of commitment or other applicable implementing document. Each document shall indicate the identification number of the letter of commitment or other applicable implementing document.

(1) Voucher. Voucher SF 1034 with three copies, to be prepared by the borrower/grantee, by the approved applicant, by the bank as assignee or agent for the approved applicant, or, in the case of a direct letter of commitment, by the supplier.

(2) Supplier's invoice. (i) One copy of the supplier's detailed invoice showing the following:

(A) The name and address of the importer;

(B) The quantity and the description of each item shipped, in sufficient detail, including the U.S. Department of Commerce Schedule B number, for ready identification;

(C) The total gross sales price;

(D) The total net sales price (determined by deducting from the total gross sales price the amounts required to be deducted under § 201.65(d));

(E) The sales price for each item net of all trade discounts under § 201.65(d);

(F) The delivery terms (e.g., f.o.b., f.a.s., c.i.f. or c. & f.);

(G) The type and dollar amount of each incidental service which is not included in the price of the commodity and for which reimbursement is claimed;

(H) The type and dollar amount of each delivery service obtained by the supplier of the commodity for the importer's account which is not included in the price of the commodity and for which reimbursement is claimed;

(I) To the extent that the commodity price includes commodity-related services, a list of each such service and the dollar amounts attributable to each such service; and

(J) Unless a Supplier's certificate covering marine insurance is submitted, the name and address of the supplier of such insurance and the dollar cost thereof.

(ii) Each invoice submitted under a bank letter of commitment shall be marked PAID by the supplier, or alternatively, the bank may certify by an endorsement on or attachment to the invoice that payment has been made in the amount shown on the invoice.

(iii) Each invoice must contain certifications from the supplier to the effect that:

(A) The USAID marking requirements set forth in § 201.31(d) have been met;

(B) Unless otherwise specified by USAID, the supplier has airmailed to the USAID Mission in the capital city of the cooperating country one copy each of the invoice, packing list and bill(s) of lading;

(C) If shipment is effected by ocean vessel, one copy of all bill(s) of lading described in § 201.52(a)(4) has been maiIed to: Maritime Administration, Division of National Cargo, 400 Seventh Street SW., Washington, DC 20590-0001; and Transportation Division, Office of Procurement, USAID, Washington, DC 20523-7900.

(3) Charter party. A copy (or photostat) of any approved charter party under which shipment is made, submitted:

(i) By the commodity supplier whenever USAID-finances any portion of the dollar price of a commodity sale under c.&f. or c.i.f. delivery terms, or

(ii) By the supplier of ocean transportation whenever USAID-finances the freight under any freight reimbursement arrangement.

If shipment is made under a consecutive voyage or time charter and the person or organization seeking reimbursement or payment has previously submitted to USAID a copy (or photostat) of said charter party in support of a prior claim for reimbursement or payment, such person or organization may, in lieu of further submission of the charter party, certify to the fact of prior submission.

(4) Evidence of shipment. (i) A copy (or photostat) of the bill(s) of lading (ocean, charter party, air, rail, barge, or truck) or parcel post receipt evidencing shipment from the point of export in the source country or free port or bonded warehouse. The bill(s) of lading shall indicate the carrier's complete statement of charges, including all relevant weights, cubic measurements, rates and additional charges, whether or not freight is financed by USAID If an NVOCC is used, rated copies of both the NVOCC's through bill of lading and the bill(s) of lading of all VOCCs must be included.

(ii) When the commodity is transported to the cooperating country under its own power (e.g., a fishing vessel), USAID will require a certificate signed by the importer or its authorized agent, certifying that the commodity has been received by the importer, to be submitted instead of a bill of lading.

(iii) When the supplier is not responsible under the terms of its agreement with the importer for assuring that the commodities are loaded on board the vessel, such as when delivery terms are f.a.s. port of shipment, the importer may request and the Commodity Support Division, Office of Procurement, USAID, Washington, DC 20523-7900 may authorize the following documents, instead of a bill of lading, to be submitted with a claim for reimbursement or payment for the commodities:

(A) A dock or warehouse receipt containing the commodity description, weight and cubic measurement, port of loading, and, if available, name and flag of vessel; the receipt must show consignment of the commodities to a person or organization designated by the importer; and

(B) A letter from the consignee addressed to USAID undertaking to arrange for shipment of the goods to the cooperating country and to deliver to: FM/CMPD, Office of Financial Management, USAID, Washington, DC 20523-7702, within 15 days from the date of shipment, a copy of the bill of lading evidencing shipment to the cooperating country. The bill of lading shall indicate the carrier's complete statement of charges, as in paragraph (a)(4)(i) of this section.

(5) Documentation on shipments to a free port or bonded warehouse. When a commodity is shipped out of a free port or bonded warehouse, the supplier shall:

(i) Provide as an attachment to a copy of the invoice, a copy of the bill of lading (bearing a notation of the freight cost) covering the shipment of the commodity into the free port or bonded warehouse, or

(ii) If such a bill of lading is not available to the supplier, provide the following information and certify to the accuracy of the information: the country or area from which the commodities were shipped to such free port or bonded warehouse; the name and flag of the vessel which transported the commodities from the source country to the free port or bonded warehouse; the cost of the freight for such shipment; and the free port or bonded warehouse to which shipment was made from the source country, or

(iii) If commodities have been commingled in the warehouse in such a way that shipments out of the warehouse cannot be related to particular shipments into the warehouse, the supplier shall certify to the best of its knowledge and belief that a portion of the commodities was transported to the free port or bonded warehouse as required by § 201.13(b)(1)(i)(D), and the quantity for which USAID-financing is sought does not exceed that amount.

(6) Supplier's Certificate (form AID 282). An original and one copy of the Supplier's Certificate executed, without modification, by:

(i) The supplier of the commodity for the cost of the commodity and any commodity-related services furnished by the commodity supplier;

(ii) The carrier for the cost of ocean or air transportation financed by USAID;

(iii) The insurer for the cost of marine insurance financed by USAID if such cost exceeds $50.

(7) Freight forwarder's invoice. One copy of the freight forwarder's invoice, if any, marked PAID and containing a complete, individually priced itemization of all charges and fees billed by or through the forwarder.

(8) Commodity approval application (form AID 11). One signed original of the Commodity Approval Application executed by the commodity supplier and countersigned by USAID. In the case of a claim for reimbursement or payment for partial shipment presented subsequent to submission of the original Commodity Approval Application, one reproduced copy of the original countersigned Commodity Approval Application, appropriately certified as such by the supplier.

(b) Execution of Certificates. (1) The original of each Supplier's Certificate and Commodity Approval Application shall be signed by hand and shall bind the person or organization in whose behalf the execution is made.

(2) The Supplier's Certificate covering the cost of marine insurance may be executed on behalf of the marine insurer by an insurance broker or by a commodity supplier if the commodity supplier is the assured under an open cargo insurance policy issued by the marine insurer and is authorized under such policy to bind the marine insurer by issuing insurance certificates or policies in favor of importers. In each such case, the insurance broker or commodity supplier shall indicate on the Supplier's Certificate the name and address of the insurance company which is acting as the supplier of marine insurance and shall describe itself below its signature as a commodity supplier issuing a certificate under an open cargo insurance policy or as an insurance broker.

[55 FR 34232, Aug. 22, 1990, as amended at 64 FR 17535, Apr. 12, 1999]
§ 201.53 - Final date for presentation of documents.

(a) Direct reimbursement. Prescribed documents shall be presented to USAID by the borrower/grantee no later than the terminal date specified in the implementing document.

(b) Letter of commitment to a bank. Prescribed documents shall be presented by the bank to USAID and shall cover:

(1) Payments or negotiations made under letters of credit expiring no later than the expiration date stated in the letter of commitment, or

(2) Payments to a supplier, the approved applicant, or, at the request of an approved applicant, to a person other than the supplier, made no later than such expiration date.

(c) Direct letter of commitment to supplier. Documents prescribed for payment under a direct letter of commitment to a supplier shall be presented by the supplier to USAID no later than the expiration date stated therein. Such documents must evidence shipment no later than the terminal shipment date provided in the direct letter of commitment.

authority: 22 U.S.C. 2381.
source: 55 FR 34232, Aug. 22, 1990, unless otherwise noted.
cite as: 22 CFR 201.52