[Federal Register Volume 88, Number 194 (Tuesday, October 10, 2023)]
[Notices]
[Pages 69901-69904]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2023-22397]


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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 one upcoming trade mission that 
will be recruited, organized, and implemented by ITA. This mission is: 
U.S. Environmental Technologies Business Development Mission to IFAT 
(Internationale Fachausstellung fuer Abwasser Technologie)--May 8-15, 
2024. 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].

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 of Commerce 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% U.S. content.
    A trade association/organization applicant must certify and agree 
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 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. The Department of Commerce will evaluate 
applications and inform applicants of selection decisions on a rolling 
basis until the maximum number of participants has been selected.

[[Page 69902]]

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

U.S. Environmental Technologies Business Development Mission to IFAT--
May 8-15, 2024

Summary

    The United States Department of Commerce, International Trade 
Administration (ITA), is organizing an Environmental Technologies 
Business Development Mission to the IFAT environmental technologies 
trade show in Munich, Germany, from May 13-15, 2024, with an optional 
program to the Czech Republic and Slovakia from May 8-10, 2024.
    The U.S. Environmental Technologies Trade Mission to IFAT will 
promote U.S. exports in a range of environmental technology industries, 
including water and wastewater management, solid waste management and 
recycling, and air pollution monitoring and control. The trade mission 
will take place directly preceding and alongside the IFAT trade show in 
Munich, Germany--the largest trade show in the world for environmental 
technologies. The trade mission will introduce participants to 
commercial opportunities in the region and connect them with 
prospective partners, distributors, service providers, end-users, and 
foreign government decision makers who are seeking U.S. environmental 
solutions. Participating in an official U.S. industry delegation, 
rather than traveling to IFAT individually, will enhance the 
participants' ability to secure key business and government meetings 
where applicable and to promote their goods and services to a wider, 
more targeted, audience.
    Participation in the trade mission will include entrance tickets to 
IFAT for one delegate from each participating company and tailored 
assistance to help delegates connect with participating international 
buyers from across Europe and other foreign markets. IFAT presents a 
unique opportunity for participants to learn more about the European 
market, gain awareness of trends and innovation in the environmental 
technologies sector, and meet with prospective business partners and 
customers from across the globe. IFAT is a large show, with 18 
exhibition halls, an outside live demonstration area, thematic 
solutions tours centered around specific technologies and topics, and a 
start-up area to spotlight innovative technologies. In 2022, the show 
attracted 119,000 visitors from 155 countries and regions and hosted 
nearly 3,000 exhibitors. The show also includes a robust conference 
program, and along with its innovation spotlights and live 
demonstrations, is a leading venue in showcasing the latest trends and 
emerging issues in the environmental technologies sector. Trade mission 
participants will receive assistance in tailoring a schedule that will 
allow them to target the components of the show that are of most 
interest to them and connect with potential business partners in 
various markets in Europe. Participants will also be able to 
participate in exclusive trade mission programming such as networking 
receptions, briefings with U.S. Embassy staff, promotional events, and 
ad-hoc meetings with potential business partners on the show floor.
    The trade mission will include an optional program to Slovakia and 
the Czech Republic the week before IFAT for participants interested in 
exploring opportunities in those markets via business-to-business 
matchmaking meetings and meetings with relevant public sector entities 
to learn about commercial opportunities in water, wastewater treatment, 
solid waste management and recycling, and air pollution monitoring and 
control. According to Environment Business International, the European 
market for environmental goods and services was valued at $387 billion 
in 2022.

Best Prospects

    The below list, while not exhaustive, identifies key products, 
services, and technologies that would be an appropriate fit for the 
trade mission. ITA is committed to assembling a trade mission 
delegation that is representative of a broad range of environmental 
technology sectors.

 Water and wastewater treatment equipment and services
 Waste management & recycling equipment and services
 Hazardous waste management
 Environmental remediation
 Environmental monitoring & instrumentation
 Waste-to-energy solutions
 Digital solutions for wastewater treatment, solid waste 
management, and other environmental systems
 Air pollution monitoring and control technologies
 Coastal and flood protection

Other Products and Services

    Applications from companies exporting products or services within 
the scope of this mission, but not specifically identified, will be 
considered and evaluated by the U.S. Department of Commerce. Companies 
whose products or services do not fit the scope of the mission may 
contact their local U.S. Commercial Service office to learn about other 
business development missions and services that may provide more 
targeted export opportunities. Companies may visit https://www.trade.gov/contact-us to obtain such information. This information 
also may be found on the website: https://www.trade.gov/.

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.

May 8-15, 2024

------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Wednesday, May 8, 2024............   Companies participating in
                                     optional program arrive in
                                     Bratislava via Vienna.
                                     No evening programming due
                                     to state holiday.
Thursday, May 9, 2024.............   Market Briefing on
                                     opportunities in Slovakia.
                                     One-on-one business
                                     matchmaking meetings.
                                     Networking Reception.
                                     Plenary meeting with public
                                     sector and/or industry association.
                                     Transport to Prague
                                     (train).

[[Page 69903]]

 
Friday, May 10, 2024..............   Market Briefing on
                                     opportunities in Czech Republic.
                                     One-on-one business
                                     matchmaking meetings.
                                     Networking Reception.
                                     Plenary meeting with public
                                     sector and/or related industry
                                     association.
                                     Site visit to be requested.
Saturday-Sunday, May 11-12, 2024..   Transport to Munich (train
                                     or air).
Monday, May 13, 2024..............   Official Trade Mission
                                     Program Commences.
                                     IFAT and Trade Mission
                                     programming.
                                     Reception at the State
                                     Chancery.
Tuesday, May 14, 2024.............   IFAT and Trade Mission
                                     programming.
                                     Networking Breakfast.
Wednesday, May 15, 2024...........   IFAT and Trade Mission
                                     programming.
                                     Official Trade Mission
                                     Program Concludes. Delegates may
                                     choose to continue attending IFAT
                                     throughout the week or depart.
------------------------------------------------------------------------

Participation Requirements

    All parties interested in participating in the trade mission must 
complete and submit an application package for consideration by the 
Department of Commerce. All applicants will be evaluated on their 
ability to meet certain conditions and best satisfy the selection 
criteria as outlined below. A minimum of 10 and maximum of 15 firms 
and/or trade associations will be selected to participate in the core 
mission at IFAT in Munich, Germany on a rolling basis. When applying to 
the mission, applicants will be able to indicate their interest in 
participating in the optional program to Czech Republic and Slovakia. A 
minimum of 3 and maximum of 5 firms and/or trade associations will be 
selected to participate in the optional program based on their 
expressed interest and market suitability.

Fees and Expenses

    After a firm or trade association has been selected to participate 
in the mission, a payment to the Department of Commerce in the form of 
a participation fee is required. The participation fee for the U.S. 
Environmental Technologies Business Development Mission will be $850 
for SMEs and $1,600 for large firms or trade associations. The fee to 
participate in the optional program to Czech Republic and Slovakia will 
be $2,350 for SMEs and $5,000 for large firms or trade associations. 
The fee for each additional firm representative (large firm or SME/
trade organization) to participate in any portion of the mission is 
$1,000. 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.
    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 above 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-negotiated rates for hotel 
rooms during the optional program to Czech Republic and Slovakia. Due 
to high demand for hotel space in Munich during the IFAT show, 
participants may not have access to U.S. Government-negotiated rates 
for that portion of the mission. Applicants who are selected to the 
trade mission before December 15, 2023 may be able to participate in 
the U.S. Department of Commerce's reserved block of hotel rooms in 
Munich, Germany. Applicants selected after this date will be 
responsible for arranging their own accommodation in Munich. 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 questions regarding 
insurance coverage must be resolved by the participant and its insurer 
of choice.
    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.

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 
Department of Commerce web page and other internet websites, press 
releases to general and trade media, direct mail, notices by industry 
trade associations 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 
January 12, 2024. The U.S. Department of Commerce will review 
applications and inform applicants of selection decisions on a rolling 
basis. Applications received after January 12, 2024, will be considered 
only if space and scheduling constraints permit. Due to high demand in 
Munich around the

[[Page 69904]]

IFAT show, hotel space is extremely limited and prospective applicants 
are encouraged to apply as early as possible to ensure available hotel 
rooms.

Contacts

Megan Hyndman, Team Lead, Climate and Environmental Technologies, 
Office of Energy and Environmental Industries, Phone: +1-823-1839, 
Email: [email protected].
Elizabeth Laxague, Global Environmental Technologies Team Leader, U.S. 
Commercial Service--Seattle, Phone: +1-206-406-8903, Email: 
[email protected].
Sean Timmins, Principal Commercial Officer, U.S. Consulate in Munich--
Germany, Phone: +49-151-6772-6689, Email: [email protected].
Richard Pales, Commercial Assistant, U.S. Embassy in Prague--Czech 
Republic, Phone: +420-257-022-397, Email: [email protected].
Marian Volent, Head of U.S. Commercial Section, U.S. Embassy in 
Bratislava--Slovakia, Phone: +421-2-5922-5310, Email: 
[email protected].
Donald Calvert, Desk Officer, Germany, Office of Central & Southeast 
Europe, Phone: (202) 482-9128, Email: [email protected].
Marie Geiger, Desk Officer, Czechia/Slovakia, Office of Central & 
Southeast Europe, Phone: (202) 482-6418, Email: [email protected].

Gemal Brangman,
Director, Trade Events Management Task Force.
[FR Doc. 2023-22397 Filed 10-6-23; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-DR-P