[Federal Register Volume 71, Number 193 (Thursday, October 5, 2006)]
[Notices]
[Pages 58786-58788]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E6-16491]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

International Trade Administration

[Docket No. 060920244-6244-01]


Solicitation of Applications for United States Destination Web 
Site Research, Development, Implementation and Marketing

AGENCY: International Trade Administration (ITA), Department of 
Commerce (DOC).

ACTION: Notice and request for applications.

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SUMMARY: The International Trade Administration's (ITA) Office of 
Travel and Tourism Industries (OTTI) announces the availability of 
funds for a cooperative agreement for the purpose of providing content 
and information, through a newly designed and implemented Web site, or 
by enhancing an existing Web site, on the United States as a premier 
destination to international inbound travelers from five key markets: 
United Kingdom, Japan, Canada, Mexico, and Germany. It is envisioned 
that the award recipient will use funding to conduct market research 
for each country on the site's international target audience. It is 
envisioned that this Web site will be the benchmark U.S. travel and 
tourism information portal for international travelers to the United 
States. The Web site will encompass information on all components of 
the U.S. travel and tourism industry, which include, but is not limited 
to, destinations, attractions, natural resources, dining and lodging 
facilities, and transportation companies.
    ITA will make one award, in the form of a cooperative agreement, in 
the amount of approximately $3,600,000.

DATES: Applications must be received by 4 p.m. eastern Daylight Saving 
Time on November 14, 2006. Applications received after the closing date 
and time will not be considered.

ADDRESSES: Proposals must be submitted to International Trade 
Administration, Office of Travel and Tourism Industries, U.S. 
Department of Commerce, HCHB 1003, Washington, DC 20230 attn: Julie 
Heizer or via e-mail to: [email protected]. The full funding 
opportunity announcement and the application kit for this request for 
applications are available at http://grants.gov, or by contacting Brian 
Beall on 202-482-5634 or Julie Heizer on 202-482-4904.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Interested parties who are unable to 
access information via Internet or who have questions may contact Mr. 
Brian Beall by mail (see Addresses), by phone at 202-482-5634, by fax 
at 202-482-4279 or via e-mail at [email protected], or Ms. Julie 
Heizer by mail (see ADDRESSES), by phone at 202-482-4904, by fax at 
202-482-2997, or via e-mail at [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
    Electronic Access: The full funding opportunity announcement is 
available at http://grants.gov or by contacting Brian Beall, see FOR 
FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT.
    Funding Availability: In fiscal year 2007, approximately $3,600,000 
will be available through this announcement for a two-year award 
period. ITA envisions one award.
    Statutory Authority: Pursuant to Section 210 of Public Law 108-7, 
and Public Law 109-108.
    Program Information: The International Trade Administration (ITA) 
is soliciting applications from organizations to design and implement a 
consumer Web site (or enhancement to an existing site), which is based 
on primary and secondary consumer research, that provides content and 
information on the United States as a premier destination to 
international inbound travelers. The overall objective of the Web site 
is to represent the United States as a travel and tourism destination 
by increasing awareness and positive perception from five identified 
markets. The five markets represent the largest originating countries 
for inbound international travelers to the United States and include 
the United Kingdom, Japan, Canada, Mexico, and Germany.
    It is envisioned that this Web site will be the benchmark U.S. 
travel and tourism information portal for international travelers to 
the United States. The Web site will encompass information on all 
components of the U.S. travel and tourism industry. This will include, 
but is not limited to, destinations, attractions, natural resources, 
dining and lodging facilities, and transportation companies.
    The Web site will provide accurate and timely information regarding 
the United States as a travel and tourism destination and deliver a 
coordinated message that communicates the diversity of the American 
travel product. It will reflect the brand value of the United States, 
as determined through consumer market research in the target markets, 
and benefit all regions of the country.
    Funding provided by the ITA cooperative agreement is intended to 
serve the four distinct functions of research, development, 
implementation, and marketing. Prior to the implementation of the Web 
site, the grantee will use funding to conduct in-depth market research 
for each country on the site's international target audience. This will 
provide insight into the Internet usage habits of the Web site's 
identified consumers. Through initial market research, the grantee will 
familiarize itself with consumer demographics and psychographics in the 
identified international target markets.
    Because the funding provided by the cooperative agreement is for a 
specified period of time only, each applicant must include a detailed 
plan to maintain and

[[Page 58787]]

market the Web site once Federal monies are no longer available. 
Cooperative marketing partnerships are encouraged as one means by which 
to generate the resources to sustain the Web site into the future once 
the cooperative agreement period with the Department expires, as well 
as during the grant period.
    Eligibility: Eligible applicants for the program include all for-
profit or non-profit, U.S. corporations, associations, organizations, 
and Native American Tribal Governments (Federally recognized) and state 
and local Governments.
    Award Period: The recipient will have two years from the date 
listed on the Financial Assistance Award form, CD-450 to expend all 
funds.
    Type of Funding Instrument: Cooperative Agreement.
    Cost Share/Matching Requirements: The amount of Federal funds 
awarded for this cooperative agreement will be approximately $3,600,000 
to be disbursed over a two-year period. It is a requisite that the 
grantee match at least 25% of the awarded Federal funds. The total of 
the awarded Federal funds plus the amount of the grantee's match will 
be the project cost. The cost share must be provided by either the 
applicant or by a third party in the form of cash or in-kind 
contributions and they must be spent on eligible expenses and are 
required to be from eligible sources. Applicants must verify and 
demonstrate in their applications that matching funds are available 
during the time period of the agreement as the matching funds are 
required to complete the project.
    Intergovernmental Review: Applications under this program are not 
subject to Executive Order 12372, ``Intergovernmental Review of Federal 
Programs.''
    Evaluation and Selection Procedures: After receiving the 
applications, ITA will screen each one to determine the applicant's 
eligibility to receive an award. After receiving all eligible 
applications, a review panel composed of at least three (3) ITA and 
Industry Representative(s) will individually review the applications 
applying the Evaluation Criteria below, score them, and forward a 
ranking to the Deputy Assistant Secretary for Services (DAS). There 
will be no consensus advice provided by the evaluation panel. From the 
ranked applications forwarded by the selection panel, the DAS selects 
the application that will receive funding. In making her decision, the 
DAS will consider the review panel's evaluations and take into 
consideration the review panel's ranking. The DAS may deviate from the 
selection panel's ranked recommendation only based on the following 
factors: (1) Funding Priorities (see below) and (2) the availability of 
funds.
    Evaluation Criteria: ITA is interested in projects that demonstrate 
the possibility of both significant results during the award period and 
lasting benefits extending beyond the award period. All eligible and 
complete applications will be evaluated based on the following criteria 
and maximum point allowances. Failure to address any one of the 
following criteria by the application deadline will result in an 
application being determined incomplete and the application will not be 
considered. The total points available are 100.
    1. Quality of Work Plan (30%): The evaluation of work plan quality 
will be based on whether the proposal demonstrates a sound plan that 
will meet the objectives in a timely and efficient manner. The 
evaluation will take into consideration how well the steps for 
executing the plan are defined, the soundness of the proposed steps, 
the likelihood that they will achieve the intended result, and the 
soundness and realism of the proposed milestones/timelines. Applicants 
that propose to enhance an existing website will be evaluated on the 
same criteria. Factors to be considered include:
    (a) The soundness of the research methodology for all markets, to 
include: Primary and secondary consumer research that tests brand 
identity for the United States as a travel destination; cultural 
differences present in individual markets with respect to language and 
receipt of brand messages; and technical proficiencies and preferences.
    (b) The Web site's development and implementation, to include: The 
overall concept for Web site: the applicant's team past experience in 
developing and launching international websites in multiple languages; 
scalability (i.e., the ability to maintain a Web site's availability, 
reliability, and performance as the amount of simultaneous Web traffic, 
or load, demands of the host server increases); expandability; approach 
for correcting faults; improving performance or adapting to changed 
environments; and content (to include approach for ensuring information 
is accurate and updated regularly).
    (c) The proposed marketing approach for all markets, to include: 
Past performance and buying power of the identified media company(s) in 
all markets; the soundness of the approach; and the ability to leverage 
media buying dollars.
    (d) The metrics proposed to evaluate performance, to include: 
Unique visitors; the part of site that is being visited; the number of 
linking sites; the identities of referring sites; the number and extent 
of joint promotions; and data provided by Internet consumer surveys to 
gauge user satisfaction with areas such as, but not limited to, 
usability, content, and functionality. All data provided should include 
performance analysis and insight, both of which would assist in making 
adjustments, if appropriate.
    (e) The proposed timelines and milestones for the website's 
required research, development, design, implementation, marketing, and 
success measurement.
    (f) The plan for securing and reflecting input from the U.S. 
Department of Commerce in the development of brand identify, Web site 
look and feel, policy regarding content and on-going content review and 
revisions.
    2. Management Plan, Capabilities and Experience, and Personnel 
Qualifications (40%): The quality of the management plan, the 
qualifications of the proposed personnel, and the applicant's 
capabilities and past performance relevant to this project will be 
evaluated in terms of:
    (a) The overall organizational capabilities and experience of the 
applicant and its identified partners.
    (b) An assessment of the relevancy and adequacy of the number, 
qualifications, past experience and staffing mix, and proposed roles 
for staff that will be involved (note that resumes for proposed 
personnel will facilitate in the evaluation of the relevancy, 
competency and experience of proposed staff).
    (c) The management control approach, progress measurements, 
reporting system, and the project plan that reflects milestones and 
deliverables needed to meet the objectives of the project.
    (d) The ability to mobilize industry partners for content, offers, 
and future investment.
    (e) The demonstration of prior experience managing international 
marketing campaigns that promote travel and tourism and previous 
experience with multi-language execution.
    (f) An assessment of the applicants' previous performance/
experience and success with similar programs, including an assessment 
of previous website design, development, and implementation.

[[Page 58788]]

    (g) An assessment of the applicant's previous performance/
experience with primary and secondary consumer market research.
    3. Budget and Sustainability (30%): The factors of budget and 
sustainability include the reasonableness of the itemized budget for 
project activities, the amount of cost share/matching requirements that 
is available, the applicant's plan to maintain the Web site after the 
award period, and the probability that the project can be continued on 
a self-sustained basis after the completion of the cooperative 
agreement.
    The three criteria together constitute the application score. The 
total possible points are 100.
    Funding Priorities: Preference may be given to applications during 
the selection process which address the following:
    1. Applicants with the ability to expand the positive affects of 
the Web site to industries that directly benefit from increased travel 
to the United States. These include, but are not limited to, retail, 
sports, and entertainment.
    2. Knowledge and understanding of the U.S. and global travel and 
tourism industry and its direct and indirect sectors.
    3. Applicants that provide more than 25 percent cost share/match.
    The Department of Commerce Pre-Award Notification Requirements for 
Grants and Cooperative Agreements: The Department of Commerce Pre-Award 
Notification for Grants and Cooperative Agreements contained in the 
Federal Register notice of December 30, 2004 (69 FR 78389) are 
applicable to this solicitation.
    Paperwork Reduction Act: This document contains collection-of-
information requirements subject to the Paperwork Reduction Act (PRA). 
The use of Standard Forms 424, 424A, 424B, SF-LLL and CD 346 have been 
approved by the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) under the 
respective control numbers 0348-0043, 0348-0044, 0348-0040, 0348-0046, 
and 0605-0001. Notwithstanding any other provision of law, no person is 
required to respond to, nor shall any person be subject to a penalty 
for failure to comply with, a collection of information subject to the 
requirements of the PRA unless that collection of information displays 
a currently valid OMB control number.
    Executive Order 12866: This notice has been determined to be not 
significant for purposes of Executive Order 12866.
    Executive Order 13132 (Federalism): It has been determined that 
this notice does not contain policies with Federalism implications as 
that term is defined in Executive Order 13132.
    Administrative Procedure Act/Regulatory Flexibility Act: Prior 
notice and an opportunity for public comments are not required by the 
Administrative Procedure Act or any other law for this notice 
concerning grants, benefits, and contracts (5 U.S.C. 553(a)(2)). 
Because notice and opportunity for comments are not required pursuant 
to 5 U.S.C. 553 or any other law, the analytical requirements for the 
Regulatory Flexibility Act (5 U.S.C. 601 et seq.) are inapplicable. 
Therefore, a regulatory flexibility analysis has not been done.

    Dated: September 29, 2006.
Helen N. Marano,
Director, Office of Travel & Tourism Industries.
 [FR Doc. E6-16491 Filed 10-4-06; 8:45 am]
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