[Federal Register Volume 83, Number 162 (Tuesday, August 21, 2018)]
[Notices]
[Pages 42258-42259]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2018-18009]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

International Trade Administration

[Docket No.: 180719676-8676-01]


Call for Applications for the International Buyer Program Select 
for 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: 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 quarters 2 and 3 of 
calendar year 2019 (April 1, 2019, through September 30, 2019). The IBP 
Select 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 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 quarters 2 and 3 of 
calendar year 2019.

DATES: Applications for IBP Select 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, 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, 1401 Constitution Ave. NW, Mailstop 52024, 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 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 April 1, 2019, and 
September 30, 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 quarters 2 and 3 of calendar year 2019, ITA expects to select 
approximately 2 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

[[Page 42259]]

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 April 1, 2019, 
and September 30, 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 October 1, 2019, 
through December 31, 2019, will not be considered at this time. IBP 
Select has already selected shows for quarter 1 (January 1-March 31) 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.
    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 quarters 2 and 3 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 (April 
1, 2019, through September 30, 2019);'' on or before the deadline noted 
above. Applications for IBP Select must be received by October 5, 2018. 
There is no fee required to apply. ITA expects to issue the results of 
this process in October 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]).

Dustin Ross,
Trade Promotion Programs.
[FR Doc. 2018-18009 Filed 8-20-18; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 3510-DR-P