[Federal Register Volume 60, Number 132 (Tuesday, July 11, 1995)]
[Notices]
[Pages 35724-35725]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 95-16891]



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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

International Trade Administration


Notice of Opportunity for Collaboration

Background

    In the February 8, 1995 issue of The Commerce Business Daily (CBD) 
Export Promotion Services (EPS) of the U.S. & Foreign Commerce Service 
(US&FCS) published a Request for Information (RFI) to determine the 
interest of private sector organizations in producing and distributing 
Commercial News USA (CNUSA), its export catalog-magazine, published ten 
times annually by ITA.
    Based on responses to the RFI and a review of overall requirements, 
EPS now envisions a collaborative arrangement rather than one based 
upon a procurement.
    This notice is herewith posted as a Request for Expressions of 
Interest:
    The U.S. Department of Commerce's International Trade 
Administration (ITA) is seeking a private sector partner to collaborate 
with it to produce and distribute Commercial News USA (CNUSA), its 
international export catalog-magazine.
    Aimed at assisting the export marketing efforts of small- to 
medium-size firms, Commercial News USA (CNUSA) is currently printed in 
the United States by a contractor for exclusive overseas distribution 
by U.S. embassies and consulates in 161 countries. Published ten times 
annually, it has a current circulation of 137,000, augmented by 37 
electronic bulletin boards (EBBs) with more than 2 million subscribers.
    Typically, an issue carries 130 to 160 listings (advertisements) of 
U.S. products and services, the majority of which consist of text with 
a product photograph. The publication is printed in 2 colors (black and 
one additional color) on white coated stock, with page counts ranging 
between 32 to 44 pages, including covers. Trim size is 17 inches by 22 
inches, saddle-wire stitched in two places and folded to 8\1/2\  x  11.
    Each edition consists of four or more product and service sections, 
including three Industry Highlight Sections, focusing on products and 
services in specific industries, and an all-inclusive ``USA 
Marketplace''. In addition, a Table of Contents, Index, and ``Quick 
Response Fax'' page are included. State and regional sections, as well 
as 

[[Page 35725]]
demographic sections (eg., minority-owned small businesses) are often 
featured. Also, from time to time, foreign language editions are 
produced.
    The private sector partner would bear all publication costs, (in 
fiscal year 1994, approximately $400,000) including marketing, writing, 
design, and printing. The private sector partner would be recognized 
through a message to be carried in each issue. ITA would continue to 
distribute CNUSA overseas, and would continue to collect user fees to 
pay for distribution (but would not provide any of those funds to the 
private sector publisher). In addition, while ITA would retain control 
over editorial content and policy, publication and industry feature 
schedules, pricing, and participation requirements, CNUSA would be open 
to any suggestions the private sector partner might care to offer, 
including those that would enhance the economic benefits of 
collaboration to the private sector partner.
    ITA envisions this collaborative effort lasting three to five 
years.
    Private sector organizations interested in collaborating with EPS 
for the production and distribution of Commercial News USA should 
provide information relating their previous experience in marketing and 
producing a periodical publication, including: direct mail marketing; 
work force size and composition (salespersons, writers, editors, 
designers, and graphic artists) and a brief corporate history.
    Respondents to the above-noted Commerce Business Daily RFI need not 
respond to this notice.
    Responses should be made by mail no later than August 10, 1995, to 
U.S. Department of Commerce, Commercial News USA, Room 2106, 14th and 
Constitution Ave., NW., Washington, DC 20230, ATTN: Joseph J. English.
Mary Fran Kirchner,
Deputy Assistant Secretary of Commerce, Export Promotion Services, 
International Trade Administration, Department of Commerce.
[FR Doc. 95-16891 Filed 7-10-95; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-FP-M