Technical Support for Ukraines Swine Sector

The **Technical Support for Ukraine’s Swine Sector** program, issued by the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Foreign Agricultural Service (FAS), aims to strengthen Ukraine’s swine industry amid challenges caused by Russia's invasion. The program focuses on improving productivity, resiliency, and biosecurity within Ukraine’s swine sector. Eligible applicants for this award are **state cooperative institutions or other U.S. colleges and universities**, as defined under 7 USC 3103. The program seeks to provide technical assistance and establish long-term capacity-building outcomes through collaboration with a **Ukrainian-based organization** funded separately by USDA/FAS. The total available federal funding is **$250,000** with the intent to issue **one (1) cost-reimbursable agreement**. Funds must be used specifically to address the program’s goals, which include increasing farm resilience and profitability, improving biosecurity and disease control (with an emphasis on African Swine Fever), analyzing animal welfare and husbandry standards, and fostering connections with U.S. industry. Activities must be coordinated with the Ukrainian partner organization, and while on-the-ground travel to Ukraine is not required due to security concerns, collaboration will occur remotely until conditions permit travel. The program includes specific deliverables such as designing and implementing technical assistance trainings for farm management and biosecurity, facilitating stakeholder coordination, recommending policies for improved animal welfare and husbandry, and identifying opportunities for Ukraine’s swine sector to benefit from U.S. industry expertise. Additionally, applicants are required to propose a monitoring and evaluation plan to track outputs and outcomes, as well as outline strategies for sustainable workforce development in Ukraine’s swine sector. Applications must include several components: completed Standard Forms **SF-424** and **SF-424A**, a detailed budget and budget narrative, and a project narrative of no more than seven pages. The project narrative must address the applicant’s strategy for meeting program requirements, collaboration with the Ukrainian partner, experience in swine sector development, and plans for sustainable capacity-building. Applicants must also provide documentation of **past performance and programmatic capability**, including a history of managing federally funded projects and meeting reporting requirements. Applications must be submitted via email by **January 10, 2025, at 11:59 PM Eastern Time**. Questions about the opportunity can be submitted by **January 7, 2025**, to Melissa Yeakley Martin at **melissa.yeakley@usda.gov**. All applicants must be registered in **SAM.gov** with active status before the deadline. Late or incomplete applications will not be considered, though a two-business-day grace period may be granted to address deficiencies identified during the initial eligibility review. Applications will be evaluated based on four criteria: **overall program plan** (65 points), **budget and budget narrative** (15 points), **programmatic capability and past performance** (15 points), and **professional formatting and grammar** (5 points). The selection process will involve a review panel that scores submissions and makes recommendations to the selecting official, who may consider additional factors like program priorities or geographical distribution. Successful applicants will be notified via email, and awards will include requirements for **quarterly performance and financial reporting** using specified formats and submission systems (e.g., ezFedGrants). USDA/FAS will monitor program implementation and may conduct site visits or request additional reporting as needed. Recipients are expected to comply with all applicable federal regulations, including those related to financial management, performance, and conflict of interest disclosures. Faith-based organizations are eligible to apply under the same terms as other entities.