[Federal Register Volume 77, Number 197 (Thursday, October 11, 2012)]
[Notices]
[Pages 61740-61742]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2012-24926]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

International Trade Administration

[Docket No. 120913451-2451-01]


Call for Applications for the International Buyer Program--
Calendar Years 2014 and 2015

AGENCY: International Trade Administration, Department of Commerce.

ACTION: Notice and Call for Applications.

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SUMMARY: In this notice, the U.S. Department of Commerce (DOC) 
announces that it will accept applications for the International Buyer 
Program (IBP) for calendar year 2014 (January 1, 2014 through December 
31, 2014). The announcement also sets out the objectives, procedures 
and application review criteria for the IBP. The purpose of the IBP 
program is to bring international buyers together with U.S. firms in 
industries with high export potential at leading U.S. trade shows. 
Specifically, through the IBP, the DOC selects domestic trade shows 
which will receive DOC assistance in the form of global promotion in 
foreign markets, providing export counseling to exhibitors, and 
providing export counseling and matchmaking services at the trade show. 
This notice covers selection for IBP participation during calendar year 
2014. It also announces a new pilot initiative for the IBP, which will 
allow up to 20% of the 2014 IBP shows to be preselected for IBP 
participation in calendar year 2015 (January 1, 2015 through December 
31, 2015) without having to reapply for the second year. Eligibility 
for this pilot initiative is limited to annual trade shows that 
participated in the IBP in calendar years 2011 or 2012. Applicants 
interested in being considered for this pilot must indicate so in the 
application.

DATES: Applications for the IBP must be received by December 10, 2012.

ADDRESSES: The IBP application may be downloaded from http://www.export.gov/IBP. Applications may be submitted by any of the 
following methods: (1) Mail/Hand Delivery Service: International Buyer 
Program, Trade Promotion Programs, U.S. and Foreign Commercial Service, 
International Trade Administration, U.S. Department of Commerce, Ronald 
Reagan Building, 1300 Pennsylvania Ave. NW., Suite 800M--Mezzanine 
Level--Atrium North, Washington, DC 20004. Telephone (202) 482-0691; 
(2) Facsimile: (202) 482-7800; or (3) email: [email protected]. 
Facsimile and email applications will be accepted as interim 
applications, but must be followed by a signed original application 
that is received by the program no later than five (5) business days 
after the application deadline. To ensure that applications are timely 
received by the deadline, applicants are strongly urged to send 
applications by hand delivery service (e.g., U.S. Postal Service 
Express Delivery, Federal Express, UPS, etc.).

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Gary Rand, Acting Director, 
International Buyer Program, Trade Promotion Programs, U.S. and Foreign 
Commercial Service, International Trade Administration, U.S. Department 
of Commerce, 1300 Pennsylvania Ave. NW., Ronald Reagan Building, Suite 
800M--Mezzanine Level--Atrium North, Washington, DC 20004; Telephone 
(202) 482-0691; Facsimile: (202) 482-7800; Email: [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The IBP was established in the Omnibus Trade 
and Competitiveness Act of 1988 (Pub. L. 100-418, codified at 15 U.S.C. 
4724) to bring international buyers together with U.S. firms by 
promoting leading U.S. trade shows in industries with high export 
potential. The IBP emphasizes cooperation between the DOC and trade 
show organizers to benefit U.S. firms exhibiting at selected events and 
provides practical, hands-on assistance such as export counseling and 
market analysis to U.S. companies interested in exporting. Shows 
selected for the IBP will provide a venue for U.S. companies interested 
in expanding their sales into international markets.
    Through the IBP, the DOC selects trade shows that DOC determines to 
be leading international trade shows with participation by U.S. firms 
interested in exporting for promotion in overseas markets by U.S. 
Embassies and Consulates. DOC is authorized to provide successful 
applicants with assistance in the form of overseas promotion of the 
show; outreach to show participants about exporting; recruiting 
potential buyers to attend the events; and through physical staff 
assistance at the event through setting up international trade centers 
at the events. Worldwide promotion is executed through the offices of 
the DOC

[[Page 61741]]

U.S. and Foreign Commercial Service (hereinafter referred to as the 
Commercial Service) in more than 70 countries representing the United 
States' major trading partners, and also in U.S. Embassies in countries 
where the Commercial Service does not maintain offices.
    The Commercial Service is accepting applications from trade show 
organizers for the IBP for trade events taking place between January 1, 
2014 and December 31, 2014. Selection of a trade show is valid for one 
event, unless the applicant is selected to participate under the pilot 
initiative described below, i.e., a trade show organizer seeking 
selection for a recurring event must submit a new application for 
selection for each occurrence of the event. For events that occur more 
than once in a calendar year, the trade show organizer must submit a 
separate application for each event.
    There is no fee required to submit an application. If accepted into 
the program for calendar year 2014, a participation fee of $9,800 for 
shows of five days or less is required. For trade shows more than five 
days in duration, or requiring more than one International Trade 
Center, a participation fee of $15,000 is required. For trade shows ten 
days or more in duration, and/or requiring more than two International 
Trade Centers, the participation fee will be determined by DOC and 
stated in the written notification of acceptance. In all cases, the fee 
is due within 45 days of written notification of acceptance into the 
program.
    For this announcement cycle only, the Commercial Service is 
piloting a new initiative to preselect up to 20% of the shows that are 
selected for the 2014 IBP, to also participate in the IBP during 
calendar year 2015 (January 1, 2015 through December 31, 2015), without 
having to reapply. The purpose of this pilot initiative is to maximize 
promotion to international buyers by allowing show organizers to engage 
in longer-term planning while reducing administrative burden on both 
the Commercial Service and the show organizers by avoiding the need to 
reapply for the second year. Eligibility for this pilot initiative is 
limited to annual trade events that participated in the IBP in calendar 
years 2011 or 2012. For events selected for both calendar years 2014 
and 2015, the participation fee for the IBP program for calendar year 
2015 event will be announced in the fall of 2013. Payment will be due 
within 45 days of written notification of the 2015 fee schedule.
    For the IBP in calendar year 2014, the Commercial Service expects 
to select approximately 35 events from among the applicants. Applicants 
that have expressed interest in the application for preselection for 
the 2015 IBP cycle will be considered for the pilot initiative. Of 
these applicants, up to 20% of the events for 2014 will be preselected 
for the next IBP cycle during the January 1, 2015 through December 31, 
2015 period.
    The Commercial Service will select those events that are determined 
to most clearly meet the Commercial Service's statutory mandate in 15 
U.S.C. 4721 to promote U.S. exports, especially those of small- and 
medium-sized enterprises, and that best meet the selection criteria 
articulated below. Successful applicants will be required to enter into 
a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) with the DOC, and must submit payment 
of the 2014 participation fee within 45 days of written notification of 
acceptance into the IBP. The MOA constitutes an agreement between the 
DOC and the show organizer specifying which responsibilities for 
international promotion of and export assistance services at the trade 
shows are to be undertaken by the DOC as part of the IBP and, in turn, 
which responsibilities are to be undertaken by the show organizer. 
Anyone requesting application information will be sent a sample copy of 
the MOA along with the application and a copy of this Federal Register 
Notice. Applicants are encouraged to review the MOA closely as IBP 
participants are required to comply with all terms, conditions, and 
obligations in the MOA. Trade show organizer obligations include, but 
are not limited to, the construction of an International Trade Center 
at the trade show, production of an export interest directory, and 
provision of complementary hotel accommodations for DOC staff as 
explained in the MOA. The responsibilities to be undertaken by the DOC 
will be carried out by the Commercial Service. Commercial Service 
responsibilities include, but are not limited to, the worldwide 
promotion of the trade show and, where feasible, recruitment of 
international buyers to that show, provision of on-site export 
assistance to U.S. exhibitors at the show, and the reporting of results 
to the show organizer.
    Selection as an IBP partner does not constitute a guarantee by DOC 
of the show's success. IBP partnership status is not an endorsement of 
the show except as to its international buyer activities. Neither non-
selection of an applicant for IBP partnership status nor selection for 
only one calendar year should be viewed as a determination that the 
event will not be successful in promoting U.S. exports.
    Eligibility: All 2014 U.S. trade events, through the show 
organizer, are eligible to apply for IBP participation. However, only 
annual U.S. trade events to be held in 2014 and 2015 that were IBP 
participants in calendar years 2011 and/or 2012 are eligible to apply 
to the pilot initiative for selection for participation for two 
calendar years.
    Exclusions: Trade shows that are either first-time or horizontal 
(non-industry specific) events generally will not be considered.
    General Evaluation Criteria: The Commercial Service will evaluate 
shows to be International Buyer Program partners using the following 
criteria:
    (a) Level of Intellectual Property Rights Protection: The trade 
show organizer includes in the terms and conditions of its exhibitor 
contracts provisions for the protection of intellectual property rights 
(IPR); has procedures in place at the trade show to address IPR 
infringement, which, at a minimum, provides information to help U.S. 
exhibitors procure legal representation during the trade show; and 
agrees to assist the DOC to reach and educate U.S. exhibitors on the 
Strategy Targeting Organized Piracy (STOP!), IPR protection measures 
available during the show, and the means to protect IPR in overseas 
markets, as well as in the United States.
    (b) Export Potential: The trade show promotes products and services 
from U.S. industries that have high export potential, as determined by 
DOC sources, e.g., Commercial Service best prospects lists and U.S. 
export statistics (certain industries are rated as priorities by our 
domestic and international commercial officers in their Country 
Commercial Guides, available through the Web site, http://www.export.gov).
    (c) Level of International Interest: The trade show meets the needs 
of a significant number of overseas markets and corresponds to 
marketing opportunities as identified by the posts in their Country 
Commercial Guides (e.g., best prospect lists). Previous international 
attendance at the show may be used as an indicator.
    (d) Scope of the Show: The event must offer a broad spectrum of 
U.S. made products and services for the subject industry. Trade shows 
with a majority of U.S. firms as exhibitors are given priority.
    (e) U.S. Content of Show Exhibitors: Trade shows with exhibitors 
featuring a high percentage of products produced in the United States 
or products with a high degree of U.S. content will be preferred.
    (f) Stature of the Show: The trade show is clearly recognized by 
the

[[Page 61742]]

industry it covers as a leading event for the promotion of that 
industry's products and services both domestically and internationally, 
and as a showplace for the latest technology or services in that 
industry.
    (g) Level of Exhibitor Interest: There is expressed interest on the 
part of U.S. exhibitors in receiving international business visitors 
during the trade show. A significant number of U.S. exhibitors should 
be new-to-export (NTE) or seeking to expand their sales into additional 
export markets.
    (h) Level of Overseas Marketing: There has been a demonstrated 
effort by the applicant to market prior shows overseas. In addition, 
the applicant should describe in detail the international marketing 
program to be conducted for the event, and explain how efforts should 
increase individual and group international attendance. (Planned 
cooperation with Visit USA Committees overseas is desirable. For more 
information on Visit USA Committees go to: http://www.visitusa.com.)
    (i) Logistics: The trade show site, facilities, transportation 
services, and availability of accommodations at the site of the 
exhibition must be capable of accommodating large numbers of attendees 
whose native language will not be English.
    (j) Level of Cooperation: The applicant demonstrates a willingness 
to cooperate with the Commercial Service to fulfill the program's goals 
and adhere to the target dates set out in the MOA and in the event 
timetables, both of which are available from the program office (see 
the FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT section above). Past experience in 
the IBP will be taken into account in evaluating the applications 
received.
    (k) Delegation Incentives: Show organizers should offer a range of 
incentives to delegations and/or delegation leaders recruited by the 
Commercial Service overseas posts. Examples of incentives to 
international visitors and to organized delegations include, but are 
not limited to: Waived or reduced admission fees; special organized 
events, such as receptions, meetings with association executives, 
briefings, and site tours; and complimentary accommodations for 
delegation leaders. Waived or reduced admission fees are required for 
international attendees who are members of Commercial Service-recruited 
delegations under this program. Delegation leaders also must be 
provided complimentary admission to the event.

Review Process

    The Commercial Service will vet all applications received based on 
the criteria set out in this notice. Vetting will include soliciting 
input from Commercial Service domestic and international field offices, 
focusing primarily on the export potential, level of international 
interest, and stature of the show. In reviewing applications, the 
Commercial Service will also consider sector and calendar diversity in 
terms of the need to allocate resources to support selected events. In 
selecting events under the two-year pilot initiative, although all of 
the above factors will be considered, additional emphasis will be 
placed on past IBP success and cooperation respectively under factors 
(c) and (j) above. The Assistant Secretary for Trade Promotion and 
Director General of the U.S. and Foreign Commercial Service will make 
all selection decisions.
    Application Requirements: Show organizers submitting applications 
for the 2014 or 2014-2015 IBP are requested to submit: (1) A narrative 
statement addressing each question in the application, Form ITA-4102P; 
(2) a signed statement that ``The above information provided is correct 
and the applicant will abide by the terms set forth in this Call for 
Applications for the 2014 and 2015 International Buyer Program (January 
1, 2014 through December 31, 2015);'' and (3) two copies of the 
application, on company letterhead, and one electronic copy submitted 
on a CD-RW (preferably in Microsoft Word[supreg] format), on or before 
the deadline noted above. Applicants interested in participating in the 
pilot initiative for selection of one event for two successive calendar 
years should explicitly so indicate in their applications. There is no 
fee required to apply. The Commercial Service expects to issue the 
results of this process in April 2013.
    Legal Authority: The statutory program authority for the Commercial 
Service to conduct the International Buyer Program is 15 U.S.C. 4724. 
The Commercial Service has the legal authority to enter into MOAs with 
show organizers (partners) under the provisions of the Mutual 
Educational and Cultural Exchange Act of 1961 (MECEA), as amended (22 
U.S.C. 2455(f) and 2458(c)). MECEA allows the Commercial Service to 
accept contributions of funds and services from firms for the purposes 
of furthering its mission.
    The Office of Management and Budget (OMB) has approved the 
information collection requirements of the application to this program 
(Form ITA-4102P) under the provisions of the Paperwork Reduction Act of 
1995 (44 U.S.C. 3501 et seq.) (OMB Control No. 0625-0151). 
Notwithstanding any other provision of law, no person is required to 
respond to, 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. For further information 
please contact: Gary Rand, Acting Director, International Buyer Program 
([email protected]).

Elnora Moye,
Trade Program Assistant.
[FR Doc. 2012-24926 Filed 10-10-12; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-DS-P