Fertilizer Product Expansion Program

The purpose of FPEP is to expand capacity, improve competition, and increase supply chain resilience within the agricultural fertilizer and nutrient management sector, in connection with the production of agricultural commodities. To meet its purpose, FPEP will support the production of agricultural commodities through the manufacturing and processing of fertilizer and nutrient alternatives that are: Independent and outside the dominant fertilizer suppliers. The goal is to increase competition. Consequently, entities that hold a market share (in either manufacturing, processing, or distribution) that is greater than or equal to the entity that holds the fourth largest share of the market for nitrogen, phosphate, or potash, as applicable, will not be considered for funding; Made in America - Produced in the U.S. by companies located in the U.S. and territories, creating good-paying jobs at home, and reducing the reliance on potentially unstable or inconsistent foreign supplies; Innovative To improve upon fertilizer production methods and efficient-use technologies to jump start the next generation of fertilizers and nutrient alternatives; Sustainable - Reduces the greenhouse gas impact of transportation, production, and use through renewable energy sources, feedstocks, formulations, and incentivizing greater precision in fertilizer use; and Farmer-focused - a driving factor will be making sure the additional capacity supported by USDA is dedicated to U.S. agricultural commodity production.

Entities are eligible regardless of legal structure and may include Tribes, Tribal Entities, Alaska Native Corporations, for-profit entities, corporations, non-profit entities, producer-owned cooperatives and corporations, certified benefit corporations, and state or local government entities. Private entities must be independently owned and operated.

1. Financial Viability, Technical Merit, and Readiness Applicants must describe in the project narrative, the strength of their proposed project and how the project will achieve financial viability, technical feasibility, and readiness. 2. Market Impact & Opportunities Applicants must describe any plans to procure inputs and provide more product opportunities for producers relative to the existing fertilizer products and to relevant improvements in market access. Applicants may describe any commitments from agricultural producers as input providers or as end users and potential buyers. 3. Climate Impacts & Sustainability Describe how the project will reduce the impacts of climate change through the manufacturing and processing of or the use of sustainable, innovative, increased, and efficient fertilizer and nutrient alternatives fertilizer and nutrient production and use. Include listing of assumptions and methodologies to support such assumptions. 4. Regional Impact & Support Applicants must support of their proposed project as well as any strategies to generate regional support. Applicants should also include information about the scale and scope of any commitments (financial, infrastructure, workforce or otherwise) provided by other Federal, Tribal, State, or local governments, either directly or indirectly. The scale and scope of any commitments or contributions from other third parties should also be discussed. 5. Personnel Applicants must describe key...

This program has no statutory formula. 50 percent matching fund required.MOE requirements are not applicable to this assistance listing.

Not Applicable.