Food Safety Cooperative Agreements
Program Funding
Annual program obligations reported to SAM.gov.
Funded Projects
Examples of what this program has supported.
Upgraded analytical methods and equipment to detect emerging contaminants more quickly.
Conducted joint training exercises to ensure readiness for foodborne illness outbreaks.
Improved data integration between state labs and federal systems for faster incident reporting.
Program Objective
To reduce the incidence of foodborne illnesses associated with meat, poultry, and egg products and to protect the food supply. FSIS is authorized to use cooperative agreements to reflect a relationship between FSIS and cooperators to improve the safety of the nation's food supply. Also, FSIS has been directed to further develop the Food Emergency Response Network, a network of Federal, state and local laboratories that provides the nation the analytic capabilities and capacity it needs to cope with agents threatening the food supply.
Eligibility
Eligible Applicants
- Other
State, local and tribal government agencies; academic institutions and non-profit organizations.
Beneficiaries
- Consumer
How to Apply
Award Procedure
Cooperative agreement awards are made upon selection through a competitive process directed by the relevant FSIS program area. The program area identifies the awardees to the FSIS Administrative Services Division, which prepares and executes required documentation.
Generally from 30 to 90 days from the deadline listed in the request for proposals.
Program details & compliance
Description
This program serves state, local, and tribal government agencies, academic institutions, and nonprofit organizations, while ultimately benefiting the general public by enhancing food safety systems. What makes it unique is its focus on collaboration-unlike standard grants, these cooperative agreements involve active FSIS participation throughout project development and execution, ensuring that funded projects directly support national food safety priorities and emergency response capabilities.
Mission Categories
Primary: Food Safety and Inspection
Other categories:
Food Supply ChainFood SecurityRegulation, Inspection, EnforcementComplaint Investigation
Use of Funds
Allowed Uses
Available discretionary funds are contingent on annual appropriations. Work products, where appropriate, are to be made available for use by other government agencies and accessible by the general public.
Restrictions
Federal funding is not to be used on Construction or Research related costs.
Required Documentation
Only FERN member laboratories with active status in the FERN CCM Portal (www.fernlab.org) are eligible to apply.
Reporting & Compliance
Applicable 2 CFR 200 Subparts
- Subpart B — General Provisions
- Subpart C — Pre-Federal Award Requirements
- Subpart D — Post-Federal Award Requirements
- Subpart E — Cost Principles
- Subpart F — Audit Requirements