[Federal Register Volume 83, Number 162 (Tuesday, August 21, 2018)]
[Notices]
[Pages 42256-42258]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2018-18008]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

International Trade Administration

[Docket No.: 180719677-8677-01]


Call for Applications for the International Buyer Program 
Quarters 2 and 3 Calendar Year 2019

AGENCY: Industry and Analysis, 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) 
International Trade Administration (ITA) announces that it will accept 
applications for the International Buyer Program (IBP) for quarters 2 
and 3 of calendar year 2019 (April 1, 2019, through September 30, 
2019). The IBP is currently undergoing a program review that may result 
in new ITA products and services for trade shows and it will take ITA 
some time to implement the recommended changes. Therefore, IBP is only 
moving forward with the current program until September 30, 2019. 
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 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 services in the form of global promotion in foreign 
markets, recruitment of foreign buyers, and provision of export 
counseling to exhibitors at the trade show. This notice covers 
selection for IBP participation during quarters 2 and 3 of calendar 
year 2019.

DATES: Applications for the IBP for quarters 2 and 3 of calendar year 
2019 must be received by October 5, 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, 1401 Constitution Ave. NW, Mailstop 52024, 
Washington, DC 20230; or (2) email: [email protected]. 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, Senior Advisor for Trade 
Events, Trade Promotion Programs, International Trade Administration, 
U.S. Department of Commerce, 1401 Constitution Ave. NW, Washington, DC 
20230; 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 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 will provide a venue for U.S. 
companies 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 services 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 shows. Worldwide 
promotion is executed through ITA offices 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.
    ITA is accepting applications from trade show organizers for the 
IBP for trade shows taking place between April 1, 2019, and September 
30, 2019. Selection of a trade show is valid for one show, i.e., 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.
    For the IBP in quarters 2 and 3 of calendar year 2019, the ITA 
expects to select approximately 8 shows from among the applicants. The 
ITA will select those shows 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 quarter 2 or 3 of calendar year 2019, 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 
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

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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. Some of the most important commitments for the 
trade show organizer are 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 selection is not an endorsement of the show 
except as to its international buyer activities. Non-selection of an 
applicant for the IBP should not be viewed as a determination that the 
show will not be successful in promoting U.S. exports.
    Eligibility: All 2019 U.S. trade shows taking place between April 
1, 2019, and September 30, 2019, are eligible to apply for IBP 
participation through the show organizer.
    Exclusions: Trade shows that are either first-time or horizontal 
(non-industry specific) shows generally will not be considered. Trade 
shows that take place October 1, 2019, through December 31, 2019, will 
not be considered at this time. IBP has already selected shows for 
quarter 1 (January 1-March 31) of calendar year 2019.
    General Evaluation Criteria: The ITA will evaluate shows for the 
International Buyer Program 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 show 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 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: 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 show and prior related shows. 
For this criterion, the applicant should describe in detail, among 
other information, the international marketing program to be conducted 
for the show, 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 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 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.
    (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 focus 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 shows.
    Application Requirements: Show organizers submitting applications 
for quarter 2 or 3 of calendar year 2019 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 2019 International Buyer Program (April 1, 
2019 through September 30, 2019);'' 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 October 5, 2018. ITA expects to issue 
the results of its review process in October 2018.
    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. 2455(f) and 2458(c)). MECEA allows ITA 
to accept contributions of funds and

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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, Senior Advisor 
for Trade Events, Trade Promotion Programs ([email protected]).

Dustin Ross,
Trade Promotion Programs.
[FR Doc. 2018-18008 Filed 8-20-18; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-DR-P