[Federal Register Volume 83, Number 21 (Wednesday, January 31, 2018)]
[Notices]
[Pages 4468-4470]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2018-01870]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

International Trade Administration

[Docket No. 171213999-7999-02]


Call for Applications for the International Buyer Program Select 
for Quarter 1 Calendar Year 2019

AGENCY: International Trade Administration, Department of Commerce.

ACTION: Notice and call for applications.

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SUMMARY: The U.S. Department of Commerce (DOC), International Trade 
Administration (ITA) announces that it will accept applications for the 
International Buyer Program (IBP) Select for quarter 1 of calendar year 
2019 (January 1, 2019, through March 31, 2019). The IBP Select is 
currently undergoing a program review that may result in new ITA 
products and services for trade shows. The program review may not be 
complete in time to provide products and services for shows that occur 
in the first quarter of calendar year 2019, so the IBP is moving 
forward with accepting applications for only that time period. The IBP 
may announce subsequent calls for applications for other quarters of 
calendar year 2019, depending on how soon ITA finalizes the program 
review. Should the program review result in new ITA products and 
services for trade shows, they will be announced separately in the 
Federal Register.
    This announcement sets out the objectives, procedures and 
application review criteria for IBP Select. Under IBP Select, ITA 
recruits international buyers to U.S. trade shows to meet with U.S 
suppliers exhibiting at those shows. The main difference between IBP 
and IBP Select is that IBP offers worldwide promotion, whereas IBP 
Select focuses on promotion and recruitment in up to five international 
markets. Specifically, through the IBP Select, the DOC selects domestic 
trade shows that will receive ITA services in the form of targeted 
promotion and recruitment in up to five foreign markets, as well as 
export counseling to exhibitors at the trade show. This notice covers 
selection for IBP Select participation during quarter 1 of calendar 
year 2019.

DATES: Applications for IBP Select for quarter 1 of calendar year 2019 
must be received by March 19, 2018.

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 (including express) Delivery Service: International Buyer 
Program, Trade Promotion Programs, International Trade Administration, 
U.S. Department of Commerce, Ronald Reagan Building, 1300 Pennsylvania 
Ave. NW, Suite 800--Mezzanine Level--Atrium North, Washington, DC 20004 
or (2) email: [email protected]. Email applications will be accepted as 
interim applications, and 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, Senior Advisor, 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; Email: [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The IBP was established in the Omnibus Trade 
and Competitiveness Act of 1988 (Pub. L. 100-418, title II, Sec.  2304, 
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

[[Page 4469]]

between the DOC and trade show organizers to benefit U.S. firms 
exhibiting at selected shows 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 Select 
will provide a venue for U.S. companies interested in expanding their 
sales into international markets.
    Through the IBP Select, ITA selects U.S. trade shows, with 
participation by U.S. firms interested in exporting, that ITA 
determines to be leading international trade shows. DOC provides 
successful applicants with services in the form of targeted overseas 
promotion of the show by U.S. Embassies and Consulates; outreach to 
show participants about exporting; recruitment of potential buyers to 
attend the shows; and staff assistance in setting up and staffing 
international trade centers at the shows. Targeted promotion in up to 
five markets can be executed through the overseas offices of ITA or by 
U.S. Embassies in countries where ITA does not maintain offices.
    ITA is accepting applications for IBP Select from trade show 
organizers of trade shows taking place between January 1, 2019, and 
March 31, 2019. Selection of a trade show for IBP Select is valid for 
one show. A trade show organizer seeking selection for a recurring show 
must submit a new application for selection for each occurrence of the 
show. For shows that occur more than once in a calendar year, the trade 
show organizer must submit a separate application for each show.
    There is no fee required to submit an application. For IBP Select 
in quarter 1 of calendar year 2019, ITA expects to select approximately 
3 shows from among the applicants. ITA will select those shows that are 
determined to most clearly support the 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. Once selected, applicants will be required to enter 
into a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) with the DOC, and submit payment 
of the $6,000 participation fee (by check or credit card) within 30 
days of written notification of acceptance into IBP Select. 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 Select 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 form and a copy of this Federal Register Notice. 
Applicants are encouraged to review the MOA closely, as IBP Select 
participants are required to comply with all terms, conditions, and 
obligations in the MOA. Trade show organizer obligations include 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. ITA responsibilities include targeted promotion of the trade show 
and, where feasible, recruitment of international buyers to that show 
from up to five target markets identified, 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 Select show does not constitute a guarantee by 
DOC of the show's success. IBP Select selection is not an endorsement 
of the show except as to its international buyer activities. Non-
selection of an applicant for IBP Select status should not be viewed as 
a determination that the show will not be successful in promoting U.S. 
exports.
    Eligibility: U.S. trade shows taking place between January 1, 2019, 
and March 31, 2019, with 1,350 or fewer exhibitors are eligible to 
apply, through the show organizer, for IBP Select participation. First-
time shows will also be considered.
    Exclusions: U.S. trade shows with over 1,350 exhibitors will not be 
considered for IBP Select. Trade shows that take place April 1, 2019, 
through December 31, 2019, will not be considered at this time. If the 
program review described in the SUMMARY section above does not result 
in new ITA programs and services for trade shows that take place April 
1, 2019, through December 31, 2019, a separate Federal Register Notice 
will be issued to call for applications for the International Buyer 
Program Select for other quarters of calendar year 2019.
    General Evaluation Criteria: ITA will evaluate applicants for IBP 
Select 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 analysis.
    (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 show 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.
    (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 show 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 significant 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 show, and explain how efforts should 
increase individual and group international attendance.
    (h) Level of Cooperation: The applicant demonstrates a willingness 
to cooperate with ITA to fulfill the program's goals and adhere to the 
target dates set out in the MOA and in the show 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.
    (i) Delegation Incentives: Waived or reduced (by at least 50% off 
lowest price) admission fees are required for international attendees 
who are participating in IBP Select. Delegation leaders also must be 
provided complimentary admission to the show. In addition, show 
organizers should offer a range of incentives to delegations and/or 
delegation leaders recruited by the DOC 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; or complimentary 
accommodations for delegation leaders.

[[Page 4470]]

    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 shows.
    Application Requirements: Show organizers submitting applications 
for quarter 1 of calendar year 2019 IBP Select are required to submit: 
(1) A narrative statement addressing each question in the application, 
OMB 0625-0143 (found at www.export.gov/ibp); and (2) a signed statement 
that ``The information submitted in this application is correct and the 
applicant will abide by the terms set forth in this Call for 
Applications for the International Buyer Program Select (January 1, 
2019, through March 31, 2019);'' on or before the deadline noted above. 
Applications for IBP Select must be received by Wednesday, January 31, 
2018. There is no fee required to apply. ITA expects to issue the 
results of this process in April 2018.
    Legal Authority: The statutory program authority for ITA to conduct 
the IBP is 15 U.S.C. 4724. ITA 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. 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 
(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, Senior 
Advisor, Trade Promotion Programs ([email protected]).

Frank Spector,
Trade Promotion Programs.
[FR Doc. 2018-01870 Filed 1-30-18; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 3510-DR-P