[Federal Register Volume 85, Number 28 (Tuesday, February 11, 2020)]
[Notices]
[Pages 7726-7727]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2020-02601]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

International Trade Administration


Notice of a Roundtable on Capturing the Value of Digital Services 
in Industrial Machinery

AGENCY: Industry and Analysis, International Trade Administration, U.S. 
Department of Commerce.

ACTION: Notice of a roundtable discussion on capturing the value of 
digital services in industrial machinery.

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SUMMARY: The Industry and Analysis (I&A) unit of the International 
Trade Administration (ITA) of the Department of Commerce is leading an 
effort to develop a methodology to calculate the value of machinery-
based digital services in international trade. Better understanding of 
the true value of digital services in the machinery sector will allow 
the United States Government to more effectively advocate for U.S. 
industry in trade negotiations and international dialogues. Through 
this notice, I&A announces a roundtable to facilitate a discussion with 
industry stakeholders and experts as an important step in improving the 
Department's understanding of the value of digital services in 
industrial machinery.

DATES: 
    Event: The roundtable will be held on March 11, 2020, from 9:30 
a.m. to 11:30 a.m., Eastern Standard Time.
    Event Registration: I&A will evaluate registrations based on the 
submitted information and selection criteria (see below). Selection 
decisions will be made on a rolling basis until 10 participants have 
been selected for the roundtable, or until February 28, 2020, whichever 
occurs first.

ADDRESSES: Event: The roundtable will be held at the Department of 
Commerce, 1401 Constitution Ave. NW, Washington, DC 20230.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: [email protected]; 
Jaron Bass, International Trade Specialist, ITA, at (202) 482-2625; or 
Jessica Huang, Economist, ITA, at (202) 482-6387.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: I&A recognizes that data and knowledge gaps 
exist in assessing the value of digital services as it relates to 
industrial machinery, a $430 billion segment of the economy, and 
international trade in this sector. As emerging technologies 
increasingly become integrated into industrial machinery and 
manufacturing, the machinery itself becomes a platform for a host of 
digital services. In many cases, a U.S. machinery manufacturer's 
competitive advantage lies in its ability to deliver these services, 
which has begun to alter global supply chains. Currently, there are no 
reliable sources of data to track the value and trade of digital 
services associated with industrial machinery. Therefore, I&A is 
working to develop a methodology to both categorize and value trade of 
these services.
    As an important step in developing a data-collection methodology, 
I&A is hosting an exploratory roundtable designed for industry 
stakeholder input. The goal of this roundtable is to receive guidance 
from stakeholders on what categories compose the most impactful digital 
services for automation equipment, as well as effective survey 
methodology that can be used to collect information from U.S. companies 
regarding digital services in the future.
    The roundtable is intended for individuals involved in their 
companies' digital services business development and/or production and 
performance metrics, including technical experts, services product 
managers, or individuals serving in a similar capacity. Representatives 
from U.S. companies or companies with a substantial manufacturing 
presence in the United States are encouraged to apply to participate. 
As a result, we are not encouraging attendance by trade associations, 
consulting organizations, or academic institutions. The roundtable is 
designed to gather information to improve data collection and will not 
be utilized to seek consensus on any policy items. The sharing of 
confidential business information will not be permitted during the 
roundtable.
    I&A is seeking applications from companies that meet the selection 
criteria outlined below to participate in the March 11 roundtable, 
which will be led by I&A.
    Event: The March 11, 2020 roundtable, which will be hosted by I&A 
in Washington, DC will consist of three discussions: (1) Identifying 
the most important digital services related to specific sub-sectors of 
industrial machinery industry, (2) categorizing the types of digital 
services associated with industrial machinery to winnow duplicative 
terminology, and (3) discussing how the U.S. government can collect 
data on these services. Agenda topics and format are subject to change. 
Due to limited space, the event is not open to the public. Industry 
participation is limited to 10 qualifying industry representatives.

Selection Process

Participation

    Persons seeking to participate in the roundtable will be evaluated 
based on their ability to meet certain conditions and best satisfy the 
selection criteria outlined below. A maximum of 10 participants will be 
selected. Interested parties must submit their applications for 
participation in the roundtable by email to 
[email protected]. Interested parties will be reviewed 
on a rolling basis in the order that they are received. Views of any 
interested person and other information regarding this topic are 
welcome, and can be submitted by email to 
[email protected].

Timeline for Recruitment

    Applications for the March 11 roundtable must be received by 
February 28, 2020. I&A will evaluate registrations based on the 
submitted information and selection criteria (see

[[Page 7727]]

below) and inform applicants of selection decisions.

Conditions for Participation

    Interested parties must send an email to 
[email protected] addressing how they satisfy the 
selection criteria listed below.
    Applicants should be capable of identifying and discussing digital 
services' impact on U.S. firms, industry and/or the manufacturing 
sector. Company representatives attending the roundtable should be 
technical experts, services product managers, or individuals serving in 
a similar capacity.
    Diversity of company size, location, and industry will also be 
considered during the selection process. Selection will be made without 
regard to political affiliation.
    Applicants should include the following information in their 
application email:
     Name of applicant and a short biography, including the 
applicant's ability to speak to the impact of digital services on the 
U.S. industrial machinery sector or a specific U.S. firm.
     Name of company and brief description of company size, 
location, and industry.
     A statement describing whether the applicant represents a 
U.S. company that fits one or both of the following profiles: (1) U.S. 
manufacturers utilizing digital services in their daily operations or 
bundling digital services in their finished goods sales, (2) digital 
service providers with clients in industrial machinery industries.
    Selection will be based on the following criteria:
     Importance of the company's existing manufacturing 
process, products, and/or services to the industrial machinery sector.
     The degree to which the company represents the broader 
diversity of the industrial machinery sector, with respect to company 
size, location, and industry.
     Suitability of the representative's position, biography, 
and ability to meaningfully contribute to the conversation.

    Dated: February 5, 2020.
Scott Kennedy,
Office Director, Office of Transportation and Machinery.
[FR Doc. 2020-02601 Filed 2-10-20; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-DR-P