Cooperative or reimbursable agreements are established with States under the Agricultural Marketing Act of 1946 (AMA) to provide sampling or inspection services for miscellaneous processed commodities, graded commodities, or rice.

Under this program, GIPSA enters an agreement with a State to have State employees perform certain Federal functions related to providing inspection and weighing services under the Agricultural Marketing Act of 1946. Specifically, Federally-trained and -licensed State employees perform a number of voluntary services, including sampling, bulk weighing, checkloading, checkweighing, condition examination, condition of container examination, stowage examination, sanitation inspection, falling number testing, and related services for rice, dry beans, peas, split peas, lentils, hops, and processed grain products. These functions are performed by Federally-licensed State employees under the supervision of a State manager. A GIPSA manager provides general oversight and monitoring of the program. GIPSA reimburses the State for work performed by State employees at an average rate of $13.00 per hour.

These agreements are carried out according to the Agricultural Marketing Act of 1946 (7 U.S.C. 1621 et seq.), subject to the conditions provided in the Statement of Work section of each agreement.

Under this program, a State is authorized to provide certain official services under the Agricultural Marketing Act of 1946. State inspection agencies perform a wide range of voluntary inspection activities and related functions for rice, dry beans, peas, split peas, lentils, hops, and processed grain products. These functions are performed by Federally-trained and -licensed State employees who are under the direct supervision of State program managers. A GIPSA manager provides general oversight and monitoring of the program. The State collects fees for these services and pays GIPSA a predetermined percentage of these fees for GIPSA oversight.