[Federal Register Volume 88, Number 22 (Thursday, February 2, 2023)]
[Notices]
[Pages 7074-7077]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2023-02150]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

International Trade Administration


Announcement of Approved International Trade Administration Trade 
Mission

AGENCY: International Trade Administration, Department of Commerce.

SUMMARY: The United States Department of Commerce, International Trade 
Administration (ITA), is announcing an upcoming trade mission that will 
be recruited, organized, and implemented by ITA. This mission is: 
Global Diversity Export Initiative (GDEI) Education Trade Mission to 
Brazil, Discover the Hidden Values in U.S. Higher Education, Sao Paolo, 
Salvador and Fortaleza Brazil, April 11-15, 2023. A summary of the 
mission is found below. Application information and more detailed 
mission information, including the commercial setting and sector 
information, can be found at the trade mission website: https://www.trade.gov/trade-missions. For each mission, recruitment will be 
conducted in an open and public manner, including publication in the 
Federal Register, posting on the Commerce Department trade mission 
calendar (https://www.trade.gov/trade-missions-schedule) and other 
internet websites, press releases to general and trade media, direct 
mail, broadcast fax, notices by industry trade associations and other 
multiplier groups, and publicity at industry meetings, symposia, 
conferences, and trade shows.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Jeffrey Odum, Events Management Task 
Force, International Trade Administration, U.S. Department of Commerce, 
1401 Constitution Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20230; telephone (202) 482-
6397 or email [email protected].

[[Page 7075]]


SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

The Following Conditions for Participation Will Be Used for the Mission

    Applicants must submit a completed and signed mission application 
and supplemental application materials, including adequate information 
on their products and/or services, primary market objectives, and goals 
for participation that is adequate to allow the Department of Commerce 
to evaluate their application. If the Department of Commerce receives 
an incomplete application, the Department may either: reject the 
application, request additional information/clarification, or take the 
lack of information into account when evaluating the application. If 
the requisite minimum number of participants is not selected for a 
particular mission by the recruitment deadline, the mission may be 
cancelled.
    Each applicant must also certify that the products and services it 
seeks to export through the mission are either produced in the United 
States, or, if not, are marketed under the name of a U.S. firm and have 
at least fifty-one percent U.S. content by value. In the case of a 
Study State Consortia or other government education stakeholders (e.g., 
Governor's offices, state trade offices, economic development 
organizations, etc.), the applicant must certify that, for each firm or 
service provider to be represented, the products and/or services the 
represented firm or service provider seeks to export are either 
produced in the United States or, if not, marketed under the name of a 
U.S. firm and have at least 51% U.S. content.
    A Study State Consortia or other government education stakeholder 
applicant must certify to the above for every company it seeks to 
represent on the mission. In addition, each applicant must:
     Certify that the products and services that it wishes to 
market through the mission would be in compliance with U.S. export 
controls and regulations;
     Certify that it has identified any matter pending before 
any bureau or office in the Department of Commerce;
     Certify that it has identified any pending litigation 
(including any administrative proceedings) to which it is a party that 
involves the Department of Commerce; and
     Sign and submit an agreement that it and its affiliates 
(1) have not and will not engage in the bribery of foreign officials in 
connection with a company's/participant's involvement in this mission, 
and (2) maintain and enforce a policy that prohibits the bribery of 
foreign officials.
    In the case of a Study State Consortia or other government 
education stakeholder, the applicant must certify that each firm or 
service provider to be represented by the association/organization can 
make the above certifications.

The Following Selection Criteria Will Be Used for the Mission

    Targeted mission participants are U.S. institutions, service 
providers, Study State Consortia, and other government education 
stakeholders providing or promoting U.S. programs and services that 
have an interest in entering or expanding their business in the 
mission's destination country. The following criteria will be evaluated 
in selecting participants:
     Suitability of the applicant's (or in the case of a Study 
State Consortia or other government education stakeholder, represented 
institution's or service provider's) programs or services to this 
market.
     The applicant's (or in the case of a Study State Consortia 
or other government education stakeholder, represented institution's or 
service provider's) potential for business in the markets, including 
likelihood of exports resulting from the mission; and
     Consistency of the applicant's (or in the case of a Study 
State Consortia or other government education stakeholder, represented 
institution's or service provider's) goals and objectives with the 
stated scope of the mission.
    Balance of institution size and location may also be considered 
during the review process.
    Referrals from a political party or partisan political group or any 
information, including on the application, containing references to 
political contributions or other partisan political activities will be 
excluded from the application and will not be considered during the 
selection process.
    The sender will be notified of these exclusions.

Trade Mission Participation Fees

    If and when an applicant is selected to participate on a particular 
mission, a payment to the Department of Commerce in the amount of the 
designated participation fee below is required. Upon notification of 
acceptance to participate, those selected have 5 business days to 
submit payment or the acceptance may be revoked.
    Participants selected for a trade mission will be expected to pay 
for the cost of personal expenses, including, but not limited to, 
international travel, lodging, meals, transportation, communication, 
and incidentals, unless otherwise noted. Participants will, however, be 
able to take advantage of U.S. Government rates for hotel rooms. In the 
event that a mission is cancelled, no personal expenses paid in 
anticipation of a mission will be reimbursed. However, participation 
fees for a cancelled mission will be reimbursed to the extent they have 
not already been expended in anticipation of the mission.
    If a visa is required to travel on a particular mission, applying 
for and obtaining such a visa will be the responsibility of the mission 
participant. Government fees and processing expenses to obtain such a 
visa are not included in the participation fee. However, the Department 
of Commerce will provide instructions to each participant on the 
procedures required to obtain business visas.
    Trade mission members participate in trade missions and undertake 
mission-related travel at their own risk. The nature of the security 
situation in a given foreign market at a given time cannot be 
guaranteed. The U.S. Government does not make any representations or 
guarantees as to the safety or security of participants. The U.S. 
Department of State issues U.S. Government international travel alerts 
and warnings for U.S. citizens available at https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/traveladvisories/traveladvisories.html/. Any question 
regarding insurance coverage must be resolved by the participant and 
its insurer of choice.

Important Note About the COVID-19 Pandemic

    Travel and in-person activities are contingent upon the safety and 
health conditions in the United States and the mission countries. 
Should safety or health conditions not be appropriate for travel and/or 
in-person activities, the Department will consider postponing the event 
or offering a virtual program in lieu of an in-person agenda. In the 
event of a postponement, the Department will notify the public and 
applicants previously selected to participate in this mission will need 
to confirm their availability but need not reapply. Should the decision 
be made to organize a virtual program, the Department will adjust fees, 
accordingly, prepare an agenda for virtual activities, and notify the 
previously selected applicants with the option to opt-in to the new 
virtual program.

[[Page 7076]]

    Mission List: (additional information about trade missions can be 
found at https://www.trade.gov/trade-missions).

GDEI Education Trade Mission to Brazil, Discover the Hidden Values in 
U.S. Higher Education, Sao Paolo, Salvador, and Fortaleza Brazil, April 
11-15, 2023

Summary

    The United States Department of Commerce, International Trade 
Administration (ITA)'s Global Education Team, is organizing an 
Education Trade Mission to Brazil, April 11-15, 2023. This Education 
Trade Mission will target U.S. Higher Educational Institutions (HEIs) 
which are New-to-Export (NTE), such as Historically Black Colleges and 
Universities (HBCUs) and Minority Serving Institutions (MSIs), and 
Study State Consortia (composed of colleges and universities, community 
programs, and similar entities representing education within U.S. 
states) and other government education stakeholders (e.g., Governor's 
offices, state trade offices, economic development organizations, etc.) 
that are interested in recruiting students from student communities in 
Brazil's Northeast region. It will include an anchor stop in S[atilde]o 
Paulo, a large metropolitan area that serves as the gateway to the 
Northeast and represents significant student recruitment and 
partnership opportunities. This trade mission is designed to provide a 
manageable (in terms of time and budgetary commitment) opportunity for 
HEIs that are new to exporting to experience the wide variety of 
opportunities U.S. Government-led trade missions offer for 
internationalization. The geographic proximity of the market lessens 
the travel, logistics and time zone burden for participants allowing 
them to focus on the core activities of the trade mission. Brazilian 
students seeking international education opportunities have an affinity 
for U.S. HEIs also due to this geographic proximity and cultural 
familiarity. The Brazilian market is therefore a good first market for 
NTE HEIs to explore.
    Recruitment and consideration will be extended to all export-ready 
institutions, Study State Consortia, and other government educational 
stakeholders that meet the established criteria for participation in 
the mission. ITA is seeking to improve outreach and representation of 
HEIs that enroll students from underserved communities, such as U.S. 
HBCUs and MSIs. This mission is in alignment with Executive Order 13985 
on Advancing Racial Equity and Support for Underserved Communities 
Through the Federal Government (January 25, 2021) (E.O. 13985), the 
U.S. Department of Commerce Equity Action Plan, and the Global 
Diversity Export Initiative of the U.S. Commercial Service. For the 
purposes of the trade mission, ITA adopts the definition of 
``underserved communities'' in E.O. 13985: ``populations sharing a 
particular characteristic, as well as geographic communities, that have 
been systematically denied a full opportunity to participate in aspects 
of economic, social, and civic life, as exemplified by the list in the 
preceding definition of `equity.' '' ``Equity'' is defined by E.O. 
13985 as ``the consistent and systematic fair, just, and impartial 
treatment of all individuals, including individuals who belong to 
underserved communities that have been denied such treatment, such as 
Black, Latino, and Indigenous and Native American persons, Asian 
Americans and Pacific Islanders and other persons of color; members of 
religious minorities; lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer 
(LGBTQ+) persons; persons with disabilities; persons who live in rural 
areas; and persons otherwise adversely affected by persistent poverty 
or inequality.'' This trade mission is also designed to be responsive 
to the priorities stated by Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo and 
outlined in the Equity Action Plan released in April 2022 which 
includes ``[s]trengthen[ing] small businesses in underserved 
communities by helping them be successful exporters''.
    In addition to publishing notice of the trade mission in the 
Federal Register, ITA is committed to outreach and recruitment through 
collaboration with organizations with ties to underserved communities. 
Federal agencies that will help to support recruitment for this mission 
include the U.S. Export-Import Bank and the Minority Business 
Development Agency.
    The mission will begin in Sao Paolo, Brazil where delegates will 
participate in pre-arranged Business-to-Business (B2B) meetings with 
potential partners and customers, a market briefing with speakers from 
U.S. Mission to Brazil and Education sector stakeholders, as well as a 
welcome reception. The market briefings will be an opportunity for 
mission participants to network and to gain a deeper understanding of 
the opportunities in the region. The market briefings will include 
Officers and Locally Employed Specialists. The GDEI Education Trade 
Mission to Brazil will take place in coordination with the EducationUSA 
Roadshow, and as such the stops for both events will mirror each other 
through the end of the GDEI Education Trade Mission. Timelines for 
activities for each event have been coordinated to allow those 
institutions that wish to do so to participate in both. The separate 
events require their own registration with the U.S. Department of 
Commerce and Education USA respectively. The Education Mission will 
stay one day in Sao Paolo before a travel day to Fortaleza, the second 
Mission Stop.
    In Fortaleza, mission participants will once again have the 
opportunity to participate in pre-arranged B2B meetings with potential 
partners and customers, and optional cultural activities to better 
understand the Northeastern Brazil region. For Mission participants who 
have chosen to register for the optional/add-on Education USA Roadshow, 
they will have the opportunity to join these activities and events as 
well.
    After Fortaleza, mission participants will travel to Salvador for 
the final Mission stop. This is also the third stop for the and 
optional EducationUSA Roadshow. In Salvador, participants will have B2B 
meetings with potential partners and customers. The GDEI Education 
Trade Mission to Brazil will conclude in Salvador.

Proposed Timetable

    * Note: The final schedule and potential site visits will depend on 
the availability of host government and business officials, specific 
goals of mission participants, and ground transportation.

------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Tuesday, April 11.................   Trade Mission Participants
                                     Arrive in S[atilde]o Paulo, Brazil.
                                     Welcome reception and
                                     networking.
Wednesday April 12................   Sao Paolo programming.
                                     Breakfast briefing.
                                     Business-to-Business
                                     Meetings.
                                     Optional: Student Fair
                                     (EducationUSA).
Thursday, April 13................   Optional: School Visits
                                     (EducationUSA).
                                     Business-to-Business
                                     Meetings continued.

[[Page 7077]]

 
                                     Travel to next stop,
                                     Fortaleza, Brazil.
                                     Optional: Evening Cultural
                                     Event (No Host).
Friday, April 14..................   Programming in Fortaleza.
                                     Breakfast briefing.
                                     Optional: School Visits
                                     (EducationUSA).
                                     Business-to-Business
                                     Meetings.
                                     Optional: Student Fair
                                     (EducationUSA).
Saturday, April 15................   Travel to next stop,
                                     Salvador.
                                     Programming in Salvador.
                                     Luncheon and networking.
                                     Optional: Student Fair
                                     (EducationUSA).
                                     Trade Mission Concludes.
Sunday, April 16..................   Optional: Cultural Event
                                     (No Host).
                                     Participants depart
                                     Salvador for the United States at
                                     their leisure or continue with
                                     EducationUSA to Belo Horizonte.
------------------------------------------------------------------------

Participation Requirements

    All parties interested in participating in the trade mission must 
submit an application package for consideration by the U.S. Department 
of Commerce (DOC). All applicants will be evaluated on their ability to 
meet the criteria as outlined below. A minimum and maximum of fifteen 
institutions, Study State Consortia, and/or government education 
stakeholders will be selected to participate in the mission from the 
applicant pool.

Fees and Expenses

    After an institution, study state trade association has been 
selected to participate on the mission, a payment to the Department of 
Commerce in the form of a participation fee is required. The 
participation fee for the GDEI Education Trade Mission to Brazil will 
be $2,450 for public/private, non-profit institution, Study State 
Consortia, or other government education stakeholders; and $3,550 for 
private for-profit institution. The fee for each additional institution 
representative (private for-profit institution, private/public non-
profit institution, Study State Consortia, or other government 
education stakeholder) is $350. Expenses for travel, lodging, meals, 
and incidentals will be the responsibility of each mission participant. 
Interpreter and driver services can be arranged for additional cost. 
Delegation members will be able to take advantage of U.S. Embassy rates 
for hotel rooms.
    If and when an applicant is selected to participate on a particular 
mission, a payment to the Department of Commerce in the amount of the 
designated participation fee below is required. Upon notification of 
acceptance to participate, those selected have 5 business days to 
submit payment or the acceptance may be revoked.
    Participants selected for a trade mission will be expected to pay 
for the cost of personal expenses, including, but not limited to, 
international travel, lodging, meals, transportation, communication, 
and incidentals, unless otherwise noted. Participants will, however, be 
able to take advantage of U.S. Government rates for hotel rooms. In the 
event that a mission is cancelled, no personal expenses paid in 
anticipation of a mission will be reimbursed. However, participation 
fees for a cancelled mission will be reimbursed to the extent they have 
not already been expended in anticipation of the mission.
    If a visa is required to travel on a particular mission, applying 
for and obtaining such a visa will be the responsibility of the mission 
participant. Government fees and processing expenses to obtain such a 
visa are not included in the participation fee. However, the Department 
of Commerce will provide instructions to each participant on the 
procedures required to obtain business visas.
    Trade Mission members participate in trade missions and undertake 
mission-related travel at their own risk. The nature of the security 
situation in a given foreign market at a given time cannot be 
guaranteed. The U.S. Government does not make any representations or 
guarantees as to the safety or security of participants. The U.S. 
Department of State issues U.S. Government international travel alerts 
and warnings for U.S. citizens available at https://travel.state.gov/content/passports/en/alertswarnings.html. Any question regarding 
insurance coverage must be resolved by the participant and its insurer 
of choice.

Timeframe for Recruitment and Applications

    Mission recruitment will be conducted in an open and public manner, 
including publication in the Federal Register, posting on the Commerce 
Department trade mission calendar (http://export.gov/trademissions) and 
other internet websites, press releases to general and trade media, 
direct mail, notices by industry trade associations/organizations and 
other multiplier groups, and publicity at industry meetings, symposia, 
conferences, and trade shows. Recruitment for the mission will begin 
immediately and conclude no later than February 28, 2023. The U.S. 
Department of Commerce will review applications and inform applicants 
of selection decisions on a rolling basis. Applications received after 
February 28, 2023, will be considered only if space and scheduling 
constraints permit.

Contacts

Jennifer Woods, Project lead/Director, U.S. Commercial Service 
Knoxville, (865) 338-3783, [email protected]
Rachel Alarid, Education International Trade Specialist, Industry and 
Analysis, [email protected]
Michael Marangell, Commercial Officer, U.S. Commercial Service Sao 
Paolo, [email protected]
Laura Reffatti, Commercial Specialist, U.S. Commercial Service 
Brasilia, [email protected]

Gemal Brangman,
Director, ITA Events Management Task Force.
[FR Doc. 2023-02150 Filed 2-1-23; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-DR-P