[Federal Register Volume 88, Number 67 (Friday, April 7, 2023)]
[Notices]
[Pages 20857-20860]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2023-07270]


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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 (DOC), International 
Trade Administration (ITA), is announcing one upcoming trade mission 
that will be recruited, organized, and implemented by ITA. This mission 
is: U.S. Industry Program (USIP) at the International Atomic Energy 
Agency (IAEA) General Conference in Vienna, Austria, September 24-27, 
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

[[Page 20858]]

and other multiplier groups, and publicity at industry meetings, 
symposia, conferences, and trade shows.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Jonathan Chesebro, Senior Nuclear 
Trade Specialist, International Trade Administration, U.S. Department 
of Commerce, 1401 Constitution Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20230; 
telephone (202) 603-4968 or email [email protected].

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 U.S. Department of 
Commerce (DOC) to evaluate their application. If the DOC 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 
trade association or organization, the applicant must certify that, for 
each firm or service provider to be represented by the association/
organization, 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 percent U.S. content. Each applicant must certify that one's 
organization is not majority owned or controlled by a foreign 
government entity (or foreign government entities).
    A trade association/organization applicant must certify to the 
above for all of the companies 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 DOC;
     Certify that it has identified any pending litigation 
(including any administrative proceedings) to which it is a party that 
involves the DOC; 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 trade association/organization, 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. firms, services providers 
and trade associations/organizations providing or promoting U.S. 
products 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 trade 
association/organization, represented firm's or service provider's) 
products or services to these markets;
     The applicant's (or in the case of a trade association/
organization, represented firm'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 trade 
association/organization, represented firm's or service provider's) 
goals and objectives with the stated scope of the mission.
    Balance of company 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 DOC 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 (USG) rates for hotel rooms. 
In the event that a mission is canceled, no personal expenses paid in 
anticipation of a mission will be reimbursed. However, participation 
fees for a canceled 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 DOC 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 (USG) does not make any representations 
or guarantees as to the safety or security of participants. The U.S. 
Department of State issues USG 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. 
Participants are responsible for determining any travel requirements or 
restrictions that are in place due to COVID-19.

Definition of Small- and Medium-Sized Enterprise

    For purposes of assessing participation fees, an applicant is a 
small or medium-sized enterprise (SME) if it qualifies as a ``small 
business'' under the Small Business Administration's (SBA) size 
standards (https://www.sba.gov/document/support--table-size-standards), 
which vary by North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) 
Code. The SBA Size Standards Tool [https://www.sba.gov/size-standards/] 
can help you determine the qualifications that apply to your company.

[[Page 20859]]

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 
previous selected applicants with the option to opt-in to the new 
virtual program.
    Mission List: (additional information about trade missions can be 
found at https://www.trade.gov/trade-missions).

U.S. Industry Program (USIP) at the International Atomic Energy Agency 
(IAEA) General Conference in Vienna, Austria, September 24-27, 2023

Summary

    The U.S. Department of Commerce's (DOC) International Trade 
Administration (ITA), with participation from the U.S. Departments of 
Energy and State, is organizing its annual U.S. Industry Program at the 
International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) General Conference, to be 
held September 24-27, 2023, in Vienna, Austria. The IAEA General 
Conference is the premier global meeting of civil nuclear policymakers 
and typically attracts senior officials and industry representatives 
from all 175 Member States. The U.S. Industry Program is part of the 
DOC's Civil Nuclear Trade Initiative, a U.S. Government (USG) effort to 
help U.S. civil nuclear companies identify and capitalize on commercial 
civil nuclear opportunities around the world. The purpose of the 
program is to demonstrate high level USG support for the U.S. nuclear 
industry to promote its services and technologies to an international 
audience, including senior energy policymakers from current and 
emerging markets as well as IAEA staff.
    Representatives of U.S. companies from across the U.S. civil 
nuclear supply chain are eligible to participate. In addition, 
organizations providing related services to the industry, such as 
universities, research institutions, and U.S. civil nuclear trade 
associations, are eligible for participation. The mission will help 
U.S. participants gain market insights, make industry contacts, 
solidify business strategies, and identify or advance specific projects 
with the goal of increasing U.S. civil nuclear exports to a wide 
variety of countries interested in nuclear energy. A senior DOC 
official will lead the U.S. industry delegation.
    The schedule includes meetings with foreign delegations and 
discussions with senior USG officials on important civil nuclear topics 
including regulatory, technology and standards, liability, public 
acceptance, export controls, financing, infrastructure development, and 
R&D cooperation. Past U.S. Industry Programs have included 
participation by the U.S. Secretary of Energy, the Chairman of the U.S. 
Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) and senior USG officials from the 
Departments of Commerce, Energy, State, the Export-Import Bank of the 
United States and the National Security Council.
    There are significant opportunities for U.S. businesses in the 
global civil nuclear energy market. With 56 reactors currently under 
construction in 15 countries and 160 nuclear plant projects planned in 
27 countries over the next 8-10 years, this translates to a market 
demand for equipment and services totaling $500-740 billion over the 
next ten years.

Proposed Timetable

****Note that specific events and meeting times have yet to be 
confirmed****

Sunday, September 24

2:00 p.m.-5:00 p.m. 1-1 Showtime Meetings with visiting ITA Staff
6:00 p.m.-8:00 p.m. U.S. Industry Welcome Reception

Monday, September 25

7:00a.m. Industry Program Breakfast Begins
8:00 a.m.-9:45 a.m. U.S. Policymakers Roundtable
9:45 a.m.-10:00 a.m. Break
10:00 a.m.-11:00 a.m. USG Dialogue with Industry
11:00 a.m.-6:00 p.m. IAEA Side Events
11:00 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Break
12:30 p.m.-6:00 p.m. Country Briefings for Industry Delegation 
(presented by foreign delegates)
7:30p.m.-9:30p.m. U.S. Mission to the IAEA Reception

Tuesday, September 26

9:00 a.m.-6:00 p.m. Country Briefings for Industry (presented by 
foreign delegates)
10:00 a.m.-6:00 p.m. IAEA Side Event Meetings

Wednesday, September 27

9:00 a.m.-6:00 p.m. Country Briefings for Industry (presented by 
foreign delegates)
10:00 a.m.-6:00 p.m. IAEA Side Event Meetings

Participation Requirements

    All parties interested in participating in the trade mission must 
complete and submit an application package for consideration by the 
DOC. All applicants will be evaluated on their ability to meet certain 
conditions and best satisfy the selection criteria as outlined below. A 
minimum of 15 and maximum of 30 companies and/or trade associations 
and/or U.S. academic and research institutions will be selected to 
participate in the mission from the applicant pool. The first ten 
accepted applicants will be permitted to send two representatives per 
organization (if desired). After the first ten accepted applicants, 
additional representatives will be permitted only if space is 
available. Participating companies may send more than two participants 
if space permits. The DOC will evaluate applications and inform 
applicants of selection decisions three weeks after publication in the 
Federal Register and on a rolling basis thereafter until the maximum 
number of participants has been selected.

Fees and Expenses

    After a company or organization has been selected to participate on 
the mission, a payment to the DOC in the form of a participation fee is 
required. The fee covers ITA support to register U.S. industry 
participants for the IAEA General Conference. 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. Participants will be able to take advantage of 
discounted rates for hotel rooms.
     The fee to participate in the event is $5,472 for a large 
company and $5,141 for a small or medium-sized company (SME),\1\ a 
trade association, or a U.S. university or research institution. The 
fee for each additional

[[Page 20860]]

representative (large company, trade association, university/research 
institution, or SME) is $2,000.
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    \1\ For purposes of assessing participation fees, an applicant 
is a small or medium-sized enterprise (SME) if it qualifies under 
the Small Business Administration's (SBA) size standards (https://www.sba.gov/document/support--table-size-standards), which vary by 
North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) Code. The SBA 
Size Standards Tool [https://www.sba.gov/size-standards/] can help 
you determine the qualifications that apply to your company.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    If and when an applicant is selected to participate on a particular 
mission, a payment to the DOC 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 USG 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 DOC 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 questions 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 DOC trade 
mission calendar (http://export.gov/trademissions), and notices by 
industry trade associations and other multiplier groups. Recruitment 
for the mission will begin immediately and conclude no later than July 
21, 2023. The DOC will evaluate applications and inform applicants of 
selection decisions on a rolling basis until the maximum number of 
participants has been selected. Applications received after July 21, 
2023, will be considered only if space and scheduling constraints 
permit.

Contacts

    Jonathan Chesebro, Industry & Analysis, Office of Energy and 
Environmental Industries, Washington, DC, Tel: (202) 603-4968, Email: 
[email protected].

Gemal Brangman,
Director, ITA Events Management Task Force.
[FR Doc. 2023-07270 Filed 4-6-23; 8:45 a.m.]
BILLING CODE 3510-DR-P