[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 34 (Friday, February 20, 1998)]
[Notices]
[Pages 8610-8611]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-4321]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

International Trade Administration
[Docket No.: 980212034-8034-01]


Notice of Opportunity for Collaboration

AGENCY: International Trade Administration, Commerce.

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: The Office of Export Trading Company Affairs (OETCA), 
International Trade Administration, Department of Commerce, is seeking 
a private sector partner to produce and distribute both a print and an 
electronic directory of U.S. exporters and export intermediaries.

DATES: Proposals should be sent no later than March 6, 1998.

ADDRESSES: Send proposals to Mort Schnabel, Acting Director, Office of 
Export Trading Company Affairs, International Trade Administration, 
Department of Commerce, Room 1800, Washington, D.C. 20230.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Vanessa Bachman, Office of Export 
Trading Company Affairs, International Trade Administration, (202) 482-
5131. This is not a toll-free number.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Title I of the Export Trading Company Act of 
1982 (15 U.S.C. 4001-4003) mandates that the Office of Export Trading 
Company Affairs (OETCA) provide a referral service to facilitate 
contact between producers of exportable goods and services and firms 
offering export trade services. In support of this mandate and for 
several years, OETCA has produced and distributed, in partnerships with 
a private sector firm, a directory listing trade contact information on 
U.S. manufacturers, service organizations and export trade 
intermediaries under the name ``Export Yellow Pages'' 
(EYP).
    The EYP includes trade contact information on approximately 17,000 
U.S. companies, primarily small and medium sized firms, that have 
registered their export interests with OETCA's Contact Facilitation 
Service (CFS), a computerized database. Registration on the CFS, and 
the directory, is free of charge. Display advertising can be purchased 
for a fee.
    A minimum of 50,000 copies of the EYP have been printed annually. 
They have been distributed free of charge, primarily through the U.S. 
Department of Commerce's Export Assistance Centers (domestically) and 
through U.S. Embassies and Consulates abroad. In 1997, OETCA 
implemented a pilot program to make the directory available to the 
public on-line via the Internet. The directory is also made available 
in electronic form through the U.S. Department of Commerce's National 
Trade Databank (NTDB), an electronic clearinghouse that provides 
information to the public for a subscription fee.
    OETCA is now seeking a new partner to produce and distribute both a 
print and an electronic directory of U.S. exporters and export 
intermediaries. The private sector partner will be responsible for:
    1. Printing a minimum of 50,000 copies of the directory and 
delivering them to the sites designated by OETCA;
    2. Issuing the first print edition of the directory no later than 
December 31,1998 and filling orders throughout

[[Page 8611]]

the year, issuing subsequent editions no later than December 31st on an 
annual basis;
    3. Establishing, maintaining, and operating, on a continuous basis, 
an electronic version of the directory that is available to the public 
via the Internet for World Trade Week, usually the third week in May;
    4. Inviting U.S. firms to participate in the directory as 
registrants, free of cost, or as display advertisers for a 
competitively determined fee;
    5. Collaborating with OETCA on the design of a revised CFS 
registration form to be used in hard-copy and on-line;
    6. Ensuring that the directory contains appropriate material only, 
particularly ensuring that the directory promotes U.S. exports and not 
U.S. companies seeking to import or attract foreign investment; and,
    7. Providing OETCA the opportunity to review and comment on the 
content of the directory.
    A copy of the Export Yellow Pages print directory and 
additional information on the responsibilities of the parties may be 
obtained through the contact above. The electronic directory can be 
accessed via the Internet at http://export.uswest.com.
    OETCA is looking for a partner that:
    (1) Has a successful track record in publishing, preferably 
involving both directory-type publications and Internet-based services, 
and the timely distribution of publications both domestically and 
internationally;
    (2) Has sufficient financial resources to ensure a sustainable 
long-term partnership;
    (3) Has dedicated managerial and staff resources to ensure the 
continued development and improvement of the product and its 
distribution;
    (4) Will provide strong customer service, to meet the needs of the 
advertisers in the directory and the Department of Commerce;
    (5) Has demonstrated managerial and technical ability to 
continually enhance the quality of both the printed and electronic 
versions of the directory, including substantial experience with the 
use of interactive media;
    (6) Has the ability to develop and support the use of the 
electronic version of the directory as a medium for electronic 
commerce; and
    (7) Has a demonstrated interest in export activities and in 
assisting OETCA in fulfilling its mandate to promote exports of U.S. 
goods and services.
    Interested parties should send a proposal (including a proposed 
time line for the issuance of both the print and electronic versions of 
the directory), as well as corporate bona fides including financial 
data (in audited form if available), to the above address. The proposal 
can also be sent by fax at (202) 482-1790.
    Notwithstanding any other provision of law, no person is required 
to respond nor shall a person be subject to a penalty for failure to 
comply with a collection of information subject to the requirements of 
the Paperwork Reduction Act unless that collection of information 
displays a currently valid OMB Control Number. The information 
collection requirements in this notice have been approved by the Office 
of Management and Budget under OMB Control No. 0625-0120.

    Authority: 15 U.S.C. Sec. 175; 22 U.S.C. Sec. 2455(f); and, 15 
U.S.C. Secs. 4001-4003.

    Dated: February 13, 1998.
Morton Schnabel,
Acting Director, Office of Export Trading Company Affairs.
[FR Doc. 98-4321 Filed 2-19-98; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-DR-P