[Federal Register Volume 80, Number 226 (Tuesday, November 24, 2015)]
[Notices]
[Pages 73164-73166]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2015-29859]


=======================================================================
-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

International Trade Administration

[Docket No.: 151106999-5999-01]


Call for Applications for the International Buyer Program 
Calendar Year 2017

AGENCY: International Trade Administration, Department of Commerce.

ACTION: Notice and Call for Applications.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: In this notice, the U.S. Department of Commerce (DOC) 
International Trade Administration (ITA) announces that it will begin 
accepting applications for the International Buyer Program (IBP) for 
calendar year 2017 (January 1, 2017, through December 31, 2017). 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 ITA selects domestic trade shows which will receive ITA 
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 2017.

DATES: Applications for the IBP must be received by Friday, January 8, 
2016.

ADDRESSES: The application form can be found at 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, 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 
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: Vidya Desai, Acting 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) 482-2311; 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

[[Page 73165]]

interested in expanding their sales into international markets.
    Through the IBP, ITA selects U.S. trade shows with participation by 
U.S. firms interested in exporting that ITA determines to be leading 
international trade shows, 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; recruitment of 
potential buyers to attend the events; and staff assistance in setting 
up international trade centers at the events. Worldwide promotion is 
executed through ITA officers at U.S. Embassies and Consulates in more 
than 70 countries representing the United States' major trading 
partners, and also in Embassies in countries where ITA 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, 2017, and December 31, 2017. 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 2017, the ITA expects to select 
approximately 20 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 2017, a participation fee of $9,800 is 
required for shows of five days or fewer. 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. It would be 
calculated on a full cost recovery basis. Successful applicants will be 
required to enter into a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) with ITA within 
10 days of written notification of acceptance into the program. The 
participation fee (by check or credit card) is due within 30 days of 
written notification of acceptance into the program.
    The MOA constitutes an agreement between ITA and the show organizer 
specifying which responsibilities for international promotion and 
export assistance services at the trade shows are to be undertaken by 
ITA 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 commitments is for the 
trade show organizer to: include in the terms and conditions of its 
exhibitor contracts provisions for the protection of intellectual 
property rights (IPR); to have 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 to agree 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. 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 2017 U.S. trade events are eligible to apply for 
IBP participation through the show organizer.
    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 of such interest.
    (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 will be given priority.
    (d) 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.
    (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: U.S. exhibitors have expressed 
interest in receiving international business visitors during the trade 
show. A significant number of U.S. exhibitors should be seeking to 
begin exporting or to expand their sales into additional export 
markets.
    (g) Level of Overseas Marketing: There has been a demonstrated 
effort by the applicant to market this event and prior related events. 
For this criterion, the applicant should describe in detail, among 
other information, 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 (i.e. International Trade Center, interpreters) are capable 
of accommodating large numbers of

[[Page 73166]]

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 U.S. overseas Embassies and Consulates. 
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 (beyond those 
required in the MOA). Review Process: ITA will evaluate 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 scheduling 
and sector balance in terms of the need to allocate resources to 
support selected events.
    Application Requirements: Show organizers submitting applications 
for the 2017 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 information 
submitted in this application is correct and the applicant will abide 
by the terms set forth in the Call for Applications for the 2017 
International Buyer Program (January 1, 2017 through December 31, 
2017);'' 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. Applications for the IBP must be received by 
Friday, January 8, 2016. ITA expects to issue the results of its review 
process in April 2016.
    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 under the 
provisions of the Mutual Educational and Cultural Exchange Act of 1961 
(MECEA), as amended (22 U.S.C.s 2455(f) and 2458(c)). MECEA allows ITA 
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: Vidya Desai, Acting 
Director, International Buyer Program ([email protected]).

Frank Spector,
Trade Promotion Programs.
[FR Doc. 2015-29859 Filed 11-23-15; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 3510-DR-P