Changes in Fees for Science and Technology (S&T) Laboratory Service

The Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) is increasing the standard hourly fee rate for each laboratory analysis from $36.26 to $45.00. The premium laboratory rate for appeals, holiday and overtime service will be increased from $54.39 to $67.50 per analysis hour. These 24.1 percent increases in hourly rates reflect the additional revenue S&T is required to collect in order to recover laboratory program expenses. AMS is also changing the fees for laboratory testing services which are offered for agricultural food commodities to reflect actual equipment and labor expenses for performing each test. These revised regulations include additional tests for commodity products for incorporation into existing schedules and set an updated hourly rate of $45.00 for unlisted tests. In addition, AMS is removing laboratory tests that have been found to be obsolete or duplicate tests performed by other Agricultural Marketing Service programs. The rule also contains name, position title, and address changes as a result of Agency restructuring efforts that lead to the formation of the AMS Science and Technology program.