Full-lifecycle grants management for USDA Foreign Agricultural Service cooperators.

MAP, FMD and other FAS market development programs give your organization the resources to promote U.S. agricultural products around the world. Each award also comes with an annual Unified Export Strategy, reimbursement claims, cost-share tracking, performance reporting and compliance reviews. That work usually falls on staff whose time is better spent planning trade missions, running overseas promotions and building buyer relationships.

Gray Matter Consulting acts as an extension of your finance and program team. With over 25 years of experience in federal grants management and due diligence, we handle the administrative side of your FAS agreements, so your organization stays compliant, competitive and focused on export growth.

Our Services

Unified Export Strategy (UES)

We prepare and submit your annual UES application, including market plans, performance measures and budgets that tie each activity to your export goals, and we build in time for internal review and board approval before the submission deadline.

Funding Strategy

We help leadership decide which FAS programs and other funding to pursue and how to structure each request. We also find and rank complementary federal, state and private foundation opportunities, and we help you use awarded funds fully and on schedule.

Claims and Reporting

We compile and submit reimbursement claims for all of your active FAS agreements and prepare the required progress and performance reports. We also track your cost-share and contribution requirements throughout the year.

Compliance Review Readiness

We maintain internal controls that follow program regulations and federal cost principles. We set up a standard system for storing and retrieving backup documentation, so every claimed expense can be traced, and we give practical guidance on documentation, cost allocation and allowable costs. We also review your indirect cost rate agreement periodically and advise on adjustments and renewals.

Program and Vendor Oversight

We keep a live status tracker with deadlines, reminders and updates across all of your agreements, and we meet regularly with your leadership. We also monitor overseas market representatives, contractors and other vendors so that deliverables are completed and documented as each contract requires.

Why Gray Matter Consulting

• Over 25 years of experience in federal grants management, compliance and due diligence
• Inside your team, not around it: we work with your staff and your existing systems
• UES to closeout: one partner for the entire program year
• Ready for review: clean files, clear controls and fewer surprises when FAS compliance staff or auditors ask for documentation
• Investigations background: our work on fraud, waste and abuse reviews means we know what reviewers look for and how to address it before they find it

Who We Serve

Commodity trade associations, cooperators, commodity boards, and farmer cooperatives that run MAP, FMD or other FAS programs, along with organizations preparing their first application.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do you replace our staff?

No. We work alongside your finance and program teams and adapt to your existing processes. Some clients have us handle claims and reporting from start to finish, while others bring us in for UES preparation or compliance review readiness.

Can you help if we have never received FAS funding?

Yes. We can assess whether your organization is a good fit for FAS programs, help you get ready to apply and set up the controls you’ll need once you’re awarded.

Can you help us prepare for a compliance review that’s already scheduled?

Yes. We can review your documentation, find gaps and help you organize backup materials before the review.

Why now?

FAS has recently authorized historic investments through new programs like the Regional Agriculture Promotion Program (RAPP) and America First Trade Promotion Program (AFTPP). We help you quickly pivot and maximize new funding opportunities as they arise without straining the capacity of your team.

Need More Information?

Contact us for a free assessment. We’ll go through your current claims, reporting and documentation and point out where your team could save time and reduce risk.