Opportunity Information: Apply for USDA FSIS FERN 07012008
Apply for USDA FSIS FERN 07012008
- The Food Safety Inspection Service in the agriculture food and nutrition sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "FSIS FERN Training Support Cooperative Agreement" and is now available to receive applicants.
- Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 10.479 Food Safety Cooperative Agreements.
- This funding opportunity was created on Jul 1, 2008 and posted on Jul 1, 2008.
- Applicants must submit their applications by Jul 11, 2008. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
- Eligible applicants include: Others (see text field entitled Additional Information on Eligibility for clarification).
- Must be a nongovernment, nonprofit organization.
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Opportunity Summary:
The FSIS FERN Training Support Cooperative Agreement is a discretionary USDA Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) funding opportunity created to strengthen the Food Emergency Response Network (FERN) by expanding and improving training for laboratory personnel involved in food defense and emergency response testing. FERN is described as a nationwide network of about 150 federal, state, and local regulatory laboratories, and the program exists because labs across the network have different levels of capability for detecting and confirming threat agents. While FERN already had 41 cooperative agreements in place at the time of the announcement to help state, local, and tribal partner labs build capacity in microbiological, chemical, and radiological threat agent testing (and to improve diagnostic capabilities across the network), this specific opportunity is focused on training support that complements and extends the existing FDA and USDA-led FERN training program.
The purpose of the new cooperative agreement is to augment the current FERN training structure by increasing the number and reach of training opportunities, including additional sessions delivered with support from industry vendors and offered through regional and national meetings. In practical terms, the award is meant to help coordinate with the established training program while giving the network more hands-on, technically focused training options that can improve laboratory readiness for food defense assignments and outbreak response. The overall emphasis is on strengthening technical expertise and standardizing or improving the ability of partner laboratories to use FERN methods for analyzing microbiological, chemical, and radiological threats.
Allowable support under this training-focused agreement includes purchasing equipment and supplies needed to carry out and support training activities, as well as reimbursing personnel expenses tied to performing the work of coordinating and delivering these training efforts. A clear limitation is noted: the cooperative agreement does not fund construction costs, meaning applicants cannot use the award for building, renovating, or other construction-related projects. The funding instrument is explicitly a cooperative agreement, which typically signals substantial federal involvement in the project’s direction or execution compared with a standard grant.
Eligibility is limited to a nongovernment, nonprofit organization (the listing indicates “Others†but clarifies in the eligibility text that applicants must be nongovernment and nonprofit). The opportunity is categorized under Agriculture, Food and Nutrition and is associated with CFDA 10.479 (Food Safety Cooperative Agreements). The announcement was posted July 1, 2008, with an original and current closing date of July 11, 2008, and it was archived August 10, 2008. For access issues or additional questions, the point of contact provided is Michael Myers, Staff Officer, reachable by phone at 706-546-3664.
FSIS FERN Training Support Cooperative Agreement (CFDA 10.479) - FAQs
1) What is the FSIS FERN Training Support Cooperative Agreement?
It is a discretionary funding opportunity from the USDA Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) designed to strengthen the Food Emergency Response Network (FERN) by expanding and improving training for laboratory personnel involved in food defense and emergency response testing.
2) What is FERN?
FERN is described as a nationwide network of about 150 federal, state, and local regulatory laboratories. It exists in part because laboratories across the network have different levels of capability for detecting and confirming threat agents.
3) Why was this opportunity created?
This cooperative agreement was created to strengthen FERN by augmenting the existing FDA- and USDA-led FERN training program. The emphasis is on increasing the number and reach of training opportunities and improving hands-on, technically focused training that supports laboratory readiness for food defense assignments and outbreak response.
4) How is this different from other FERN cooperative agreements?
At the time of the announcement, FERN already had 41 cooperative agreements to help state, local, and tribal partner laboratories build capacity in microbiological, chemical, and radiological threat agent testing and improve diagnostic capabilities across the network. This specific opportunity is focused on training support that complements and extends the established FERN training program.
5) What is the main purpose of the award?
The purpose is to augment the current FERN training structure by increasing training opportunities and expanding their reach. This includes additional training sessions supported by industry vendors and sessions offered through regional and national meetings, while coordinating with the established FERN training program.
6) What kinds of training activities are emphasized?
The opportunity emphasizes more hands-on, technically focused training options intended to strengthen technical expertise and to standardize or improve partner laboratories' ability to use FERN methods to analyze microbiological, chemical, and radiological threats.
7) What threat areas does the training relate to?
The training is tied to laboratory testing and analysis methods for microbiological, chemical, and radiological threats, with an overall focus on food defense and emergency response testing.
8) Who is eligible to apply?
Eligibility is limited to a nongovernment, nonprofit organization. While the listing notes "Others," the eligibility text clarifies that applicants must be both nongovernment and nonprofit.
9) What type of funding instrument is this?
The funding instrument is a cooperative agreement. This typically indicates substantial federal involvement in the project’s direction or execution compared with a standard grant.
10) What costs or support are allowable under this agreement?
Allowable support includes purchasing equipment and supplies needed to carry out and support training activities, as well as reimbursing personnel expenses tied to coordinating and delivering the training efforts.
11) Are construction or renovation costs allowed?
No. A specific limitation is stated: the cooperative agreement does not fund construction costs. This means funds cannot be used for building, renovating, or other construction-related projects.
12) What is the overall program category for this opportunity?
The opportunity is categorized under Agriculture, Food and Nutrition.
13) What CFDA number is associated with this opportunity?
It is associated with CFDA 10.479, Food Safety Cooperative Agreements.
14) When was the opportunity posted?
The announcement was posted on July 1, 2008.
15) What was the application closing date?
The original and current closing date listed is July 11, 2008.
16) Is this opportunity still open?
No. The listing indicates it was archived on August 10, 2008, and the closing date was July 11, 2008.
17) What is the goal for labs across the FERN network?
The goal is to strengthen technical expertise and standardize or improve partner laboratories' ability to use FERN methods for analyzing microbiological, chemical, and radiological threats, improving readiness for food defense assignments and outbreak response.
18) Who can I contact for access issues or additional questions?
The point of contact listed is Michael Myers, Staff Officer. Phone: 706-546-3664.
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Apply for USDA FSIS FERN 07012008
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