[Federal Register Volume 78, Number 221 (Friday, November 15, 2013)]
[Notices]
[Pages 68814-68816]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2013-27338]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

International Trade Administration

[Docket No.: 131030913-3913-01]


Call for Applications for the International Buyer Program 
Calendar Year 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 begin accepting applications for the 
International Buyer Program (IBP) for calendar year 2015 (January 1, 
2015 through December 31, 2015). The announcement also sets out the 
objectives, procedures and application review criteria for the IBP. The 
purpose of the IBP 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, provision of export counseling to exhibitors, and 
provision of matchmaking services at the trade show. This notice covers 
selection for IBP participation during calendar year 2015.

DATES: Applications for the 2015 IBP must be received by Friday, 
December 20, 2013.

ADDRESSES: Applications may be submitted by any of the following 
methods: (1) Mail/Hand Delivery Service: International Buyer Program, 
Trade Promotion Programs, International Trade Administration, U.S. 
Department of Commerce, Ronald Reagan Building, 1300 Pennsylvania Ave. 
NW., Suite 800M--Mezzanine Level--Atrium North, Washington, DC 20004; 
(2) Facsimile: (202) 482-7800; or (3) email: [email protected]. 
Facsimile

[[Page 68815]]

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 received by the deadline, 
applicants are strongly urged to send applications by express delivery 
service (e.g., U.S. Postal Service Express Delivery, Federal Express, 
UPS, etc.).

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Gary Rand, Director, International 
Buyer Program, Trade Promotion Programs, 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 the 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. The 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 staff assistance 
in setting up international trade centers at the events. Worldwide 
promotion is executed through the offices of the DOC in more than 70 
countries representing the United States' major trading partners, and 
also in U.S. Embassies in countries where the DOC does not maintain 
offices.
    The International Trade Administration (ITA) is accepting 
applications from trade show organizers for the IBP for trade events 
taking place between January 1, 2015 and December 31, 2015. Selection 
of a trade show is valid for one event, 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.
    For the IBP in calendar year 2015, the ITA expects to select 
approximately 25 events from among the applicants. The ITA will select 
those events that are determined to most clearly meet the statutory 
mandate in 15 U.S.C. 4721 to promote U.S. exports, especially those of 
small- and medium-sized enterprises, and the selection criteria 
articulated below.
    There is no fee required to submit an application. If accepted into 
the program for calendar year 2015, a participation fee of $9,800 for 
shows of five days or fewer 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. Successful applicants 
will be required to enter into a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) with the 
DOC within 10 days of written notification of acceptance into the 
program. The participation fee is due within 45 days of written 
notification of acceptance into the program.
    The MOA constitutes an agreement between the DOC and the show 
organizer specifying which responsibilities for international promotion 
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, providing 
waived or reduced admission fees for international attendees who are 
participating in the IBP, the construction of an International Trade 
Center at the trade show, production of an export interest directory, 
and provision of complimentary hotel accommodations for DOC staff as 
explained in the MOA. One of the most important elements is that 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, provide 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. The responsibilities 
to be undertaken by the DOC will be carried out by the ITA. ITA 
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. Non-selection 
of an applicant for IBP partnership status should not be viewed as a 
determination that the event will not be successful in promoting U.S. 
exports.
    Eligibility: All 2015 U.S. trade events, through the show 
organizer, are eligible to apply for IBP participation.
    Exclusions: Trade shows that are either first-time or horizontal 
(non-industry specific) events generally will not be considered.
    General Evaluation Criteria: The ITA will evaluate shows to be 
International Buyer Program partners using the following criteria:
    (a) Export Potential: The trade show promotes products and services 
from U.S. industries that have high export potential, as determined by 
DOC sources, including industry analysts' assessment of export 
potential, ITA best prospects lists and U.S. export statistics.
    (b) 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 ITA. Previous international 
attendance at the show may be used as an indicator.
    (c) Scope of the Show: The event offers 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.
    (d) U.S. Content of Show Exhibitors: Trade shows with exhibitors 
featuring a

[[Page 68816]]

high percentage of products produced in the United States or products 
with a high degree of U.S. content will be preferred.
    (e) Stature of the Show: The trade show is clearly recognized by 
the 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.
    (f) 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 or seeking to expand their sales into additional 
export markets.
    (g) 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.
    (h) Logistics: The trade show site, facilities, transportation 
services, and availability of accommodations at the site of the 
exhibition are capable of accommodating large numbers of attendees 
whose native language will not be English.
    (i) Level of Cooperation: The applicant demonstrates a willingness 
to cooperate with the ITA 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.
    (j) Delegation Incentives: The IBP Office will be evaluating the 
level and/or range of incentives offered to delegations and/or 
delegation leaders recruited by overseas posts. Examples of incentives 
to international visitors and to organized delegations include: special 
organized events, such as receptions, meetings with association 
executives, briefings, and site tours; and complimentary accommodations 
for delegation leaders.
    Review Process: ITA will vet all applications received based on the 
criteria set out in this notice. Vetting will include soliciting input 
from ITA industry analysts, as well as domestic and international field 
offices, focusing primarily on the export potential, level of 
international interest, and stature of the show. In reviewing 
applications, ITA will also consider sector and calendar diversity in 
terms of the need to allocate resources to support selected events.
    Application Requirements: Show organizers submitting applications 
for the 2015 IBP are requested to submit: (1) A narrative statement 
addressing each question in the application, Form OMB 0625-0143 (found 
at www.export.gov/ibp); (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 2015 
International Buyer Program (January 1, 2015 through December 31, 
2015);'' and (3) two copies of the application: one copy of the 
application printed on company letterhead, and one electronic copy of 
the application submitted on a CD-RW (preferably in Microsoft 
Word[supreg] format), on or before the deadline noted above. There is 
no fee required to apply. ITA expects to issue the results of this 
process in April 2014.
    Legal Authority: The statutory program authority for the ITA to 
conduct the International Buyer Program is 15 U.S.C. 4724. The DOC 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. sections 2455(f) and 
2458(c)). MECEA allows the DOC 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 OMB 0625-0143) under the provisions of the Paperwork Reduction 
Act of 1995 (44 U.S.C. 3501 et seq.) (OMB Control No. 0625-0143). 
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, Director, 
International Buyer Program ([email protected])

Elnora Moye,
Trade Program Assistant.
[FR Doc. 2013-27338 Filed 11-14-13; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-DR-P