(a) This subpart specifies the process for eligible non-profit entities to receive commodities from the Commodity Credit Corporation (CCC) that CCC has acquired in response to trade actions taken by foreign governments resulting in the loss of exports. The types and quantities of commodities made available under this subpart, if any, is dependent upon the ability of CCC to use such commodities through existing domestic feeding programs administered by the Food and Nutrition Service (FNS). In the event that these domestic feeding programs are unable to use the commodities acquired by CCC, EDCDP is intended to provide the remaining commodities to low income individuals, primarily through eligible entities not participating in existing FNS food distribution programs.

(b) CCC, as specified in the applicable Notice of Commodity Availability, will use grants and cooperative agreements to conduct the Expanded Domestic Commodity Donation Program (EDCDP).

(c) The Food and Nutrition Service and the Agricultural Marketing Service will administer the EDCDP on behalf of CCC.

Commodity means an agricultural commodity produced in the United States intended to be marketed for commercial purposes.

Eligible entity means an incorporated nonprofit entity that is operating for religious, charitable, or educational purposes, and does not provide net earnings to or operate in any other manner that inures to the benefit of any officer, employee, or shareholder of the entity as defined in section 22 of the Child Nutrition Act of 1966 (42 U.S.C. 1791) and meets the requirements of § 1409.203.

Notice of Commodity Availability (NOCA) means the notice published by CCC specifying: The types of commodities available for use under this subpart; the terms and conditions that are in addition to the requirements of this subpart regarding approved uses of such commodities; the requirements a non-profit entity must meet to be an eligible entity; and whether funds will be made available by CCC regarding storage, handling, transportation and other administrative costs.

(a) A non-profit entity that seeks approval for participation in EDCDP, as specified in the applicable NOCA must submit to the U.S. Department of Agriculture office identified in the NOCA:

(1) The application form;

(2) A copy of the entity's 501(c)(3) tax exempt status letter from the Internal Revenue Service (IRS);

(3) A copy of the entity's most recent IRS Form-990; and

(4) Any other supporting documents specified in the NOCA.

(b) After CCC has determined that the entity has met all eligibility requirements, the eligible entity may be considered for participation in EDCDP. After approval by CCC, the eligible entity must execute the applicable grant or cooperative agreement presented by CCC.

(a) CCC intends to make awards to responsive applicants able to fully meet the requirements of the program subject to the priority criteria outlined below.

(b) To the extent that it is unable to make awards to all fully qualified applicants due to the limited quantity of commodities that will be available under this subpart, CCC reserves the right to both make awards on a prorated basis and to prioritize awards on the criteria listed below. CCC will consider the following factors in accepting offers for participation:

(1) The extent to which an eligible entity is already a participant in existing FNS administered programs with priority placed upon those entities that are not participating in such programs;

(2) The ability of the eligible entity to receive, store, and distribute at least 20,000 pounds of food per shipment and any other requirements as outlined in the NOCA, as determined by CCC, to successfully implement the proposed program activity;

(3) The eligible entity's operational and financial capability to receive and distribute commodities provided by CCC under this subpart;

(4) The scope of the proposed program activity in terms of its intended use of such commodities in low income areas, as determined by CCC using United States Census Bureau data and information available from federal means tested programs; and

(5) Any other criteria specified in the NOCA.

(c) An eligible entity may submit only one program proposal in response to a NOCA for the same geographic area.

CCC will enter into a grant or cooperative agreement with an eligible entity regarding the entity's approved program proposal. The eligible entity may not assign or delegate any required action or responsibility of the entity except as provided in the applicable grant or cooperative agreement. Any modification of the grant or cooperative agreement must be made with the written approval of CCC.

(a) Eligible entities participating in EDCDP are required to retain documentation relating to the EDCDP for 3 years after the date of approval of the grant or cooperative agreement. However, records pertaining to claims or audits that remain unresolved in this period of time must be retained until such actions have been resolved.

(b) Eligible entities participating in EDCDP must permit authorized representatives of the U.S. Department of Agriculture or the General Accounting Office during regular business hours to inspect, examine, and to allow such representatives to make copies of such books, records, or other items for the purpose of confirming the accuracy of the information provided by such entity.

(a) An eligible entity must comply with the provisions of:

(1) 2 CFR Chapters I and II (Office of Management and Budget Government-wide Guidance for Grants and Agreements);

(2) 2 CFR parts 200 and 400 (Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit Requirements for Federal Awards);

(3) 2 CFR part 415 (General Program Administrative Regulations); and

(4) 2 CFR part 418 (New Restrictions on Lobbying).

(b) An eligible entity that does not comply with the terms of the applicable grant or cooperative agreement is subject to the provisions of: 18 U.S.C. 286,287,371,641,651,1001,and; 15 U.S.C. 714; and 31 U.S.C. 3729.