Question 1: Since the internal audit is required in middle of our designation period and my agency’s designation is past our halfway point, what is our internal audit timing?

Answer: If your OA’s designation and/or interim designation ends during CY24, then an internal audit is not required at this time (Cal-Agri, Idaho Grain, Ohio Valley, Virginia, and Michigan Grain). If your agency is currently being audited by QACD (Washington, Lincoln, Mid-Iowa, Minot, Kansas Grain, and Tri-State) the IAP directive will apply for when the OA is re-designated.

All USDA AMS grant recipients receive a Notice of Award (form AMS-33) document via email when notified of their award. The Notice of Award specifies the Terms and Conditions that apply throughout recipients’ period of performance. USDA AMS grant recipients are required to adhere to the Terms and Conditions outlined in their signed Notice of Award. The following lists show both the AMS General Terms and Conditions and the Program Specific Terms and Conditions governing AMS grant agreements.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is delaying enforcement of the requirement for hemp produced under the USDA Domestic Hemp Production Program to be tested by laboratories registered with the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA). Due to inadequate DEA-registered laboratory testing capacity, testing can be conducted by labs that are not DEA registered until Dec. 31, 2024. Testing can be conducted at these labs only if the labs have already applied for DEA registration.