Special American Business Internship Training Program (SABIT), 5158-5161 [E5-362]
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Federal Register / Vol. 70, No. 20 / Tuesday, February 1, 2005 / Notices
raw, or otherwise processed in frozen
form.
The frozen warmwater shrimp and
prawn products included under the
scope of this order, regardless of
definitions in the Harmonized Tariff
Schedule of the United States (HTS), are
products which are processed from
warmwater shrimp and prawns through
freezing and which are sold in any
count size.
The products described above may be
processed from any species of
warmwater shrimp and prawns.
Warmwater shrimp and prawns are
generally classified in, but are not
limited to, the Penaeidae family. Some
examples of the farmed and wild–
caught warmwater species include, but
are not limited to, whiteleg shrimp
(Penaeus vannemei), banana prawn
(Penaeus merguiensis), fleshy prawn
(Penaeus chinensis), giant river prawn
(Macrobrachium rosenbergii), giant tiger
prawn (Penaeus monodon), redspotted
shrimp (Penaeus brasiliensis), southern
brown shrimp (Penaeus subtilis),
southern pink shrimp (Penaeus
notialis), southern rough shrimp
(Trachypenaeus curvirostris), southern
white shrimp (Penaeus schmitti), blue
shrimp (Penaeus stylirostris), western
white shrimp (Penaeus occidentalis),
and Indian white prawn (Penaeus
indicus).
Frozen shrimp and prawns that are
packed with marinade, spices or sauce
are included in the scope of this order.
In addition, food preparations, which
are not ‘‘prepared meals,’’ that contain
more than 20 percent by weight of
shrimp or prawn are also included in
the scope of this order.
Excluded from the scope are: 1)
breaded shrimp and prawns (HTS
subheading 1605.20.10.20); 2) shrimp
and prawns generally classified in the
Pandalidae family and commonly
referred to as coldwater shrimp, in any
state of processing; 3) fresh shrimp and
prawns whether shell–on or peeled
(HTS subheading 0306.23.00.20 and
0306.23.00.40); 4) shrimp and prawns in
prepared meals (HTS subheading
1605.20.05.10); 5) dried shrimp and
prawns; 6) canned warmwater shrimp
and prawns (HTS subheading
1605.20.10.40); 7) certain dusted
shrimp; and 8) certain battered shrimp.
Dusted shrimp is a shrimp–based
product: 1) that is produced from fresh
(or thawed–from-frozen) and peeled
shrimp; 2) to which a ‘‘dusting’’ layer of
rice or wheat flour of at least 95 percent
purity has been applied; 3) with the
entire surface of the shrimp flesh
thoroughly and evenly coated with the
flour; 4) with the non–shrimp content of
the end product constituting between
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four and 10 percent of the product’s
total weight after being dusted, but prior
to being frozen; and 5) that is subjected
to individually quick frozen (IQF)
freezing immediately after application
of the dusting layer. Battered shrimp is
a shrimp–based product that, when
dusted in accordance with the
definition of dusting above, is coated
with a wet viscous layer containing egg
and/or milk, and par–fried.
The products covered by this
investigation are currently classified
under the following HTS subheadings:
0306.13.00.03, 0306.13.00.06,
0306.13.00.09, 0306.13.00.12,
0306.13.00.15, 0306.13.00.18,
0306.13.00.21, 0306.13.00.24,
0306.13.00.27, 0306.13.00.40,
1605.20.10.10, and 1605.20.10.30. These
HTS subheadings are provided for
convenience and for customs purposes
only and are not dispositive, but rather
the written description of the scope of
this order is dispositive.
Continuation of Suspension of
Liquidation
In accordance with section
735(c)(1)(B) of the Act, we are directing
CBP to continue to suspend liquidation
of all entries of certain frozen
warmwater shrimp from Ecuador,
except for entries of merchandise
produced by Expalsa, which has a de
minimis margin and thus is excluded
from the antidumping duty order. CPB
shall require a cash deposit equal to the
estimated amount by which the normal
value exceeds the U.S. price as
indicated in the chart above. CBP shall
discontinue the suspension of
liquidation on canned shrimp products,
as well as on frozen warmwater shrimp
produced by Expalsa, and refund any
cash deposits made or bonds posted
with respect to this merchandise. These
instructions suspending liquidation will
remain in effect until further notice.
This amended determination and order
is issued and published pursuant to
sections 735(d), 736(a) of the Act, and
19 CFR 351.211.
Dated: January 26, 2005.
Joseph A. Spetrini,
Acting Assistant Secretary for Import
Administration.
[FR Doc. E5–373 Filed 1–31–05; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE: 3510–DS–S
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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
International Trade Administration
[Docket No. 050114011–5011–01]
Special American Business Internship
Training Program (SABIT)
International Trade
Administration (ITA), U.S. Department
of Commerce.
ACTION: Notice.
AGENCY:
SUMMARY: This Notice announces
availability of funds for the Special
American Business Internship Training
Program (SABIT), for training business
executives and scientists (also referred
to as ‘‘Interns’’) from Eurasia (see
program description for eligible
countries). The amount of financial
assistance available for the program is
$500,000.
Applications must be received
by 5 p.m. Eastern Time on April 1, 2005.
Processing of complete applications
takes approximately three to six months.
All awards will be made by September
30, 2005.
ADDRESSES: Request for Applications:
Competitive Application Kits will be
available from ITA starting on the day
this notice is published. To obtain a
copy of the Application Kit please
contact SABIT by: (1) E-mail at
SABITApply@ita.doc.gov, providing
your name, company name and address;
(2) Telephone (202) 482–0073; (3) The
World Wide Web at https://
www.mac.doc.gov/sabit/; (4) Facsimile
(202) 482–2443; (5) Mail: Send a written
request with two self-addressed mailing
labels to Application Request, The
SABIT Program, U.S. Department of
Commerce, 1401 Constitution Avenue
NW., FCB 4100W, Washington, DC,
20230.
The telephone numbers are not toll
free numbers. Only one copy of the
Application Kit will be provided to each
organization requesting it, but it may be
reproduced by the requesters.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Tracy M. Rollins, Director, SABIT
Program, U.S. Department of Commerce,
phone—(202) 482–0073, facsimile—
(202) 482–2443. These are not toll free
numbers.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Electronic
Access: The full funding opportunity
announcement for the SABIT program is
available via Web site: https://
www.fedgrants.gov/or by contacting the
program official identified above.
Funding Availability: Pursuant to
section 632(a) of the Foreign Assistance
Act of 1961, as amended (the ‘‘Act’’)
funding to the U.S. Department of
DATES:
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Commerce (DOC) for the program will
be provided by the United States
Agency for International Development
(AID). ITA will award financial
assistance and administer the program
pursuant to the authority contained in
section 635(b) of the Act and other
applicable grant rules. The amount of
financial assistance available for the
program is $500,000. Additional
funding may become available at a
future date. Financial assistance will be
provided through cooperative
agreements.
Statutory Authority: 22 U.S.C.
2395(b).
Catalog of Federal Domestic
Assistance (CFDA): 11.114, Special
American Business Internship Training
Program.
Program Description: The ITA
established the SABIT program in
September 1990 to assist Eurasia’s
transition to a market economy. Since
that time, SABIT has been supporting
U.S. companies and organizations that
wish to provide business executives and
scientists from Eurasia three to six
month programs of hands-on training in
a U.S. market economy. Under the
SABIT program, qualified U.S. firms
(Host Firms) will receive funds through
a cooperative agreement with ITA to
help defray the cost of hosting Interns.
The training must take place in the
United States. ITA will approve Interns
nominated by Host Firms, or assist in
identifying eligible candidates. Interns
may be citizens of any of the following
countries in Eurasia: Armenia,
Azerbaijan, Belarus, Georgia,
Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Moldova,
Russia, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan,
Ukraine, and Uzbekistan. Some
Eurasian countries may have certain
restrictions with regard to U.S. funding.
These restrictions, and any waivers of
restrictions, are determined by the U.S.
Department of State, not the SABIT
program. Information on current
restrictions is available upon request,
but new restrictions may be put into
place after a grant is awarded. The Host
Firms will be expected to provide the
Interns with a hands-on, non-academic,
executive training program designed to
maximize their exposure to management
or commercially oriented scientific
operations. At the end of the training
program, the Intern must return to his/
her home country. If there is any
evidence of a conflict of interest
between the nominated Intern and the
Host Firm, the Intern is disqualified.
Managers: SABIT assists economic
restructuring in Eurasia by providing
mid-to-senior level business managers
with practical training in American
methods of innovation and management
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in areas such as strategic planning,
financing, production, distribution,
marketing, accounting, wholesaling,
and/or labor relations. This first-hand
experience in the U.S. economy enables
Interns to become leaders in
establishing and operating a market
economy in Eurasia, and creates a
unique opportunity for Host Firms to
familiarize key executives from Eurasia
with their products and services. Host
Firms will benefit by establishing
relationships with managers in similar
industries who are uniquely positioned
to assist their Host Firms in doing
business in Eurasia.
Scientists: SABIT provides
opportunities for gifted scientists to
apply their skills to peaceful research
and development in the civilian sector,
in areas such as defense conversion,
medical research, and the environment,
and exposes them to the role of
scientific research in a market economy
where applicability of research relates to
business success. Host Firms in the U.S.
scientific community also benefit from
exchanging information and ideas, and
different approaches to new
technologies.
All internships must last between
three to six months; however, ITA
reserves the right to allow an Intern to
stay for a shorter period of time (not less
than one month). ITA will reimburse
Host Firms for the round trip
international travel (coach class tickets)
of each Intern from the Intern’s home
city in Eurasia to the U.S. internship
site, a stipend of $34 per day to the
Intern(s), and housing costs of up to
$500.00 per month (excluding utilities
or telephone services). For cities with
higher costs of living, ITA will
reimburse Host Firms up to $750.00 a
month (excluding utilities or telephone
services) for housing costs. Interns must
return to their home countries
immediately upon completion of their
U.S. internships.
Host Firms wishing to utilize SABIT
in order to be matched with an Intern
without applying for financial
assistance may do so. Such firms will be
responsible for all costs, including
travel expenses, related to sponsoring
the Intern. However, prior to acceptance
as a SABIT Intern, work plans and
candidates must be approved by the
SABIT program. Furthermore, program
training will be monitored by SABIT
staff and evaluated upon completion of
training. ITA does not guarantee that it
will match Host Firms with the Intern
profile provided to SABIT.
Award Period: Recipient firms will
have one year from the date listed on
the Financial Assistance Award form,
CD–450, to expend all funds. However,
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DOC reserves the right to extend the
award period if the Host Firm can
justify the need for extra time.
Eligibility: Eligible applicants for the
SABIT program include all for-profit or
non-profit U.S. corporations,
associations, organizations or other
public or private entities located in the
United States. Agencies or divisions of
the Federal Government are not eligible.
However, state and local governments
are eligible.
Matching Requirements: The SABIT
program budget does not include
matching requirements, however, Host
Firms are expected to bear the costs
beyond the $34 per day stipend,
additional lodging costs (including
utilities and local telephone service)
beyond the reimbursed amount, any
training-related travel within the United
States, visa cost, emergency medical
insurance, training manuals and
provisions of the hands-on training for
the Interns.
Project Funding Priorities: Applicants
must indicate business sector(s).
Although applicants operating in any
industry sector may apply to the
program, priority consideration is given
to those operating in the following
sectors: (a) Agribusiness (including food
processing and distribution, and
agricultural equipment), (b)
Environment (including environmental
clean up), (c) Financial services
(including banking and accounting), (d)
Construction and infrastructure
development (including housing and
transportation), (e) Medical equipment,
supplies, pharmaceuticals, and health
care management. Priority funding will
also be given to applicants applying to
host Interns from the following
countries: Armenia, Kazakhstan,
Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan
and Uzbekistan.
Evaluation and Selection Procedures:
Each application will receive an
independent, objective review by one or
more three or four-member review
panels qualified to evaluate applications
submitted under the program. Panels
may include federal employees and
non-federal individuals. No consensus
advice will be given by the panel.
Applications received before the
deadline will be evaluated on a
competitive basis in accordance with
the selection evaluation criteria set forth
below. Applications that have received
a passing score of 70 or above, based on
the weighted evaluation criteria, will be
ranked and awards will be made by the
selecting official based on the
evaluation criteria and selection factors
until funds are depleted. Applications
receiving scores below 70 will not be
considered. ITA reserves the right to
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limit the award amount as well as the
number of Interns per applicant.
Applicants must provide evidence of
a satisfactory record of performance in
grants, contracts and/or cooperative
agreements with the Federal
Government, if applicable. Applicants
who are or have been deficient in
current or recent performance in their
grants, contracts, and/or cooperative
agreements with the Federal
Government shall be presumed to be
unable to meet this requirement. If the
applicant has a Federal Government
Performance Record Statement, this
must be specified in the Application
Kit. If there is no record to date, the
applicant should indicate this.
Applicants who do not have a Federal
Government Performance Record
Statement will not be penalized.
Evaluation Criteria: Consideration for
financial assistance will be given to
those applications that provide the
following (listed in order of decreasing
importance so that criterion number 1 is
most important, followed by criterion
number 2, etc.):
(1) Work Plan. The applicant must
provide a detailed work plan for the
intended training. If the applicant is
providing different training plans for
different Interns, it MUST attach a
separate work plan for each. If Interns
will be trained on the same plan, only
one plan needs to be attached. If an
internship will take place at several
organizations, a work plan for each
organization must be provided. The
work plan must include: (a) A detailed
week-by-week description of internship
activities; (b) a description of the
Intern’s duties and responsibilities; (c)
complete contact information for the
everyday internship coordinator; (d)
locations of training within the
company, if the internship(s) will be in
different divisions; (e) locations of
training outside the company. If the
Intern will spend substantial amounts of
time at one or more external
organizations or companies (over one
week) the applicant MUST provide a
letter from each of those companies,
indicating their willingness and ability
to provide the planned training.
Evaluation Scale: 0–40 points.
(2) Training Objectives Statement.
The applicant must provide an
objectives statement, clearly titled
‘‘Training Objectives’’ with the name of
the applicant noted indicating the
reason why the applicant wishes to
provide a professional training
experience to an Intern. The applicant
must explain how the proposed training
would further the intent and goals of the
SABIT program to provide practical, onthe-job, non-academic, non-classroom
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training for a professional-level Intern.
Evaluation Scale: 0–30 points.
(3) Intern Description(s) and
Resume(s): The applicant should
provide descriptions of the experience,
education, and skills desired in an
Intern for the training they intend to
provide. If an applicant desires Interns
from a specific region or country of
Eurasia, it should be indicated in the
application. If an applicant has
nominated Interns for training, the
Interns’ resumes must be attached.
Additionally, the applicant must
describe the relationship that it has with
each Intern. All Interns must meet
SABIT criteria in order to participate.
Evaluation Scale: 0–15 points.
(4) Financial Resources
Documentation: Applicants must
provide evidence of adequate financial
resources to cover the costs involved in
providing an internship(s). Evidence
may include a published annual report,
or a letter from the applicant’s outside,
independent accountant attesting to the
applicant’s financial ability to support
the training program planned and the
funds requested or a letter from the
applicant’s bank. All letters must be on
the accountant’s or bank’s letterhead
and addressed to the United States
Department of Commerce. Evaluation
Scale: 0–15 points.
Selection Factors: The selecting
official reserves the right to select Host
Firms based on U.S. geographic
location, organization size as well as
priority business sectors and country
priorities (listed in Project Funding
Priorities, above) and past performance.
Host Firms may be eligible, pursuant to
approval of an amendment of an active
award, to host additional Interns under
the program. The Director of the SABIT
program is the selecting official for each
award.
Intergovernmental Review:
Applications under this program are not
subject to Executive Order 12372,
‘‘Intergovernmental Review of Federal
Programs.’’
Application Forms and Kit: To obtain
an Application Kit, please refer to the
section above marked ADDRESSES. An
original and two copies of the
application (including all relevant
standard forms and supplemental
material) are to be sent to the address
designated in the Application Kit and
must be received no later than 5 p.m.
Eastern Time on the closing date.
Applicants are encouraged to sign the
original application (including forms)
with blue ink.
Other Requirements: DOC’s PreAward Notification Requirements for
Grants and Cooperative Agreements,
which are contained in Federal Register
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Notice of December 30, 2004 (69 FR
78389), are applicable to this
solicitation.
All applicants are advised of the
following:
1. Host Firms will be required to
comply with all relevant U.S. tax and
export regulations. Export controls may
relate not only to licensing of products
for export, but also to technical data
transfer. DOC’s Bureau of Industry and
Security (BIS formerly BXA, the Bureau
of Export Administration) reviews
applications to determine whether
export licenses are required. SABIT will
not award a grant until any export
license issue has been satisfied.
2. The following statutes apply to this
program: Section 907 of the FREEDOM
Support Act, Public Law 102–511, 22
U.S.C. 5812 note (Restriction on
Assistance to the Government of
Azerbaijan); Public Law 107–115
(Waiver of Section 907 of the FREEDOM
Support Act); 7 U.S.C. 5201 et seq.
(Agricultural Competitiveness and
Trade—the Bumpers Amendment); The
Foreign Assistance Act of 1961, as
amended, including Chapter 11 of Part
I, Section 498A(b), Public Law 102–511,
22 U.S.C. 2295a(b) (regarding
ineligibility for assistance); 22 U.S.C.
2420(a), Section 660(a) of The Foreign
Assistance Act of 1961, as amended
(Police Training Prohibition); and
provisions in the annual Foreign
Operations, Export Financing, and
Related Programs Appropriations Acts,
concerning impact on jobs in the United
States (see, e.g., Section 536 of Pub. L.
106–113).
3. The collection of information is
approved by the Office of Management
and Budget (OMB), OMB Control
Number 0625–0225. Public reporting for
this collection of information is
estimated to be eight hours per
response, including the time for
reviewing instructions, and completing
and reviewing the collection of
information. All responses to this
collection of information are voluntary,
and will be protected from disclosure to
the extent allowed under the Freedom
of Information Act.
The use of Standard Forms 270, 424
and 424B is approved under OMB
Control Numbers 0348–0004, 0348–
0043 and 0348–0040, respectively.
Notwithstanding any other provision of
law, no person is required to respond to,
nor shall any 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. Send comments
regarding the burden estimate or any
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other aspect of this collection of
information, including suggestions for
reducing this burden, to the Reports
Clearance Officer, International Trade
Administration, Department of
Commerce, Room 4001, 14th and
Constitution Avenue NW., Washington,
DC 20230.
4. Executive Order 13132: It has been
determined that this notice does not
contain policies with Federalism
implications as that term is defined in
E.O. 13132.
5. Administrative Procedure Act/
Regulatory Flexibility Act: Because prior
notice and opportunity for public
comment are not required by the
Administrative Procedure Act for rules
concerning public property, loans,
grants, benefits and contracts (5 U.S.C.
553(a)(2)), a Regulatory Flexibility
Analysis is not required and has not
been prepared for this notice (5 U.S.C.
601 et seq.).
Dated: January 26, 2005.
Tracy M. Rollins,
Director, SABIT Program.
[FR Doc. E5–362 Filed 1–31–05; 8:45 am]
The meeting will be held in
the Employees’ Lounge, Administration
Building, at NIST, Gaithersburg,
Maryland 20899. Please note admittance
instructions under SUMMARY paragraph.
DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Institute of Standards and
Technology
Manufacturing Extension Partnership
National Advisory Board
National Institute of Standards
and Technology, Department of
Commerce.
ACTION: Notice of partially closed
meeting.
AGENCY:
SUMMARY: Pursuant to the Federal
Advisory Committee Act, 5 U.S.C. app.
2, notice is hereby given that the
Manufacturing Extension Partnership
National Advisory Board (MEPNAB),
National Institute of Standards and
Technology (NIST), will meet Thursday,
February 17, 2005, from 8:30 a.m. to
3:30 p.m. The MEPNAB is composed of
eleven members appointed by the
Director of NIST who were selected for
their expertise in the area of industrial
extension and their work on behalf of
smaller manufacturers. The Board was
established to fill a need for outside
input on MEP. MEP is a unique program
consisting of centers in all 50 states and
Puerto Rico. The centers have been
created by state, federal, and local
partnerships. The Board works closely
with MEP to provide input and advice
on MEP’s programs, plans, and policies.
The purpose of this meeting is to update
the board on the latest program
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The meeting will convene
February 17, 2005 at 8:30 a.m. and will
adjourn at 3:30 p.m. on February 17,
2005.
DATES:
ADDRESSES:
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developments including a NIST Update,
a MEP Policy Overview, and a MEP
Program Operations Update.
Discussions scheduled to begin at 1 p.m.
and to end at 3:30 p.m. on February 17,
2005, on MEP budget issues will be
closed. All visitors to the National
Institute of Standards and Technology
site will have to pre-register to be
admitted. Anyone wishing to attend this
meeting must register 48 hours in
advance in order to be admitted. Please
submit your name, time of arrival, email
address and phone number to Lillian
Ware no later than Tuesday, February
15 and she will provide you with
instructions for admittance. Ms. Ware’s
email address is lillian.ware@nist.gov
and her phone number is 301/975–5454.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Carrie Hines, Manufacturing Extension
Partnership, National Institute of
Standards and Technology,
Gaithersburg, Maryland 20899–4800,
telephone number (301) 975–3360.
The
Assistant Secretary for Administration,
with the concurrence of the General
Counsel, formally determined on
December 27, 2004, that portions of the
meeting which involve discussion of
proposed funding of the MEP may be
closed in accordance with 5 U.S.C.
552b(c)(9)(B), because that portion will
divulge matters the premature
disclosure of which would be likely to
significantly frustrate implementation of
proposed agency actions; and that
portions of the meeting which involve
discussion of the staffing of positions in
MEP may be closed in accordance with
5 U.S.C. 552b(c)(6), because divulging
information discussed in that portion of
the meeting is likely to reveal
information of a personal nature, where
disclosure would constitute a clearly
unwarranted invasion of personal
privacy.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Dated: January 26, 2005.
Hratch G. Semerjian,
Acting Director.
[FR Doc. 05–1816 Filed 1–31–05; 8:45 am]
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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric
Administration
[Docket No. 030602141–5010–14; I.D.
012505A]
RIN 0648–ZB55
Availability of Grant Funds for Fiscal
Year 2005
National Oceanic and
Atmospheric Administration (NOAA),
Department of Commerce (DOC).
ACTION: Omnibus notice announcing the
availability of grant funds for fiscal year
2005.
AGENCY:
SUMMARY: The National Oceanic and
Atmospheric Administration (NOAA)
announces a third availability of grant
funds for Fiscal Year 2005. The purpose
of this notice is to provide the general
public with a consolidated source of
program and application information
related to the Agency’s competitive
grant offerings, and it contains the
information about those programs
required to be published in the Federal
Register. This omnibus notice is
designed to replace the multiple Federal
Register notices that traditionally
advertised the availability of NOAA’s
discretionary funds for its various
programs. It should be noted that
additional program initiatives
unanticipated at the time of the
publication of this notice may be
announced later in the year.
DATES: Applications must be received
by the date and time indicated under
each program listing in the
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION section.
ADDRESSES: Applications must be
submitted to the addresses listed in the
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION section for
each program. This Federal Register
notice may be found at the Grants.gov
website, https://www.grants.gov, and the
NOAA website at https://
www.ofa.noaa.gov/amd/
%SOLINDEX.HTML.
For
a copy of the full funding opportunity
announcement and/or application kit,
access it at Grants.gov, via NOAA’s
website, https://www.ofa.noaa.gov/amd/
%SOLINDEX.HTML, or by contacting
the person listed as the information
contact under each program.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: NOAA
published its first omnibus notice
announcing the availability of grant
funds for both projects and fellowships/
scholarships/internships for Fiscal Year
2005 in the Federal Register on June 30,
2004 (69 FR 39417). The evaluation
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
E:\FR\FM\01FEN1.SGM
01FEN1
Agencies
[Federal Register Volume 70, Number 20 (Tuesday, February 1, 2005)]
[Notices]
[Pages 5158-5161]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E5-362]
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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
International Trade Administration
[Docket No. 050114011-5011-01]
Special American Business Internship Training Program (SABIT)
AGENCY: International Trade Administration (ITA), U.S. Department of
Commerce.
ACTION: Notice.
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SUMMARY: This Notice announces availability of funds for the Special
American Business Internship Training Program (SABIT), for training
business executives and scientists (also referred to as ``Interns'')
from Eurasia (see program description for eligible countries). The
amount of financial assistance available for the program is $500,000.
DATES: Applications must be received by 5 p.m. Eastern Time on April 1,
2005. Processing of complete applications takes approximately three to
six months. All awards will be made by September 30, 2005.
ADDRESSES: Request for Applications: Competitive Application Kits will
be available from ITA starting on the day this notice is published. To
obtain a copy of the Application Kit please contact SABIT by: (1) E-
mail at SABITApply@ita.doc.gov, providing your name, company name and
address; (2) Telephone (202) 482-0073; (3) The World Wide Web at http:/
/www.mac.doc.gov/sabit/; (4) Facsimile (202) 482-2443; (5) Mail: Send a
written request with two self-addressed mailing labels to Application
Request, The SABIT Program, U.S. Department of Commerce, 1401
Constitution Avenue NW., FCB 4100W, Washington, DC, 20230.
The telephone numbers are not toll free numbers. Only one copy of
the Application Kit will be provided to each organization requesting
it, but it may be reproduced by the requesters.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Tracy M. Rollins, Director, SABIT
Program, U.S. Department of Commerce, phone--(202) 482-0073,
facsimile--(202) 482-2443. These are not toll free numbers.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Electronic Access: The full funding
opportunity announcement for the SABIT program is available via Web
site: https://www.fedgrants.gov/or by contacting the program official
identified above.
Funding Availability: Pursuant to section 632(a) of the Foreign
Assistance Act of 1961, as amended (the ``Act'') funding to the U.S.
Department of
[[Page 5159]]
Commerce (DOC) for the program will be provided by the United States
Agency for International Development (AID). ITA will award financial
assistance and administer the program pursuant to the authority
contained in section 635(b) of the Act and other applicable grant
rules. The amount of financial assistance available for the program is
$500,000. Additional funding may become available at a future date.
Financial assistance will be provided through cooperative agreements.
Statutory Authority: 22 U.S.C. 2395(b).
Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance (CFDA): 11.114, Special
American Business Internship Training Program.
Program Description: The ITA established the SABIT program in
September 1990 to assist Eurasia's transition to a market economy.
Since that time, SABIT has been supporting U.S. companies and
organizations that wish to provide business executives and scientists
from Eurasia three to six month programs of hands-on training in a U.S.
market economy. Under the SABIT program, qualified U.S. firms (Host
Firms) will receive funds through a cooperative agreement with ITA to
help defray the cost of hosting Interns. The training must take place
in the United States. ITA will approve Interns nominated by Host Firms,
or assist in identifying eligible candidates. Interns may be citizens
of any of the following countries in Eurasia: Armenia, Azerbaijan,
Belarus, Georgia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Moldova, Russia, Tajikistan,
Turkmenistan, Ukraine, and Uzbekistan. Some Eurasian countries may have
certain restrictions with regard to U.S. funding. These restrictions,
and any waivers of restrictions, are determined by the U.S. Department
of State, not the SABIT program. Information on current restrictions is
available upon request, but new restrictions may be put into place
after a grant is awarded. The Host Firms will be expected to provide
the Interns with a hands-on, non-academic, executive training program
designed to maximize their exposure to management or commercially
oriented scientific operations. At the end of the training program, the
Intern must return to his/her home country. If there is any evidence of
a conflict of interest between the nominated Intern and the Host Firm,
the Intern is disqualified.
Managers: SABIT assists economic restructuring in Eurasia by
providing mid-to-senior level business managers with practical training
in American methods of innovation and management in areas such as
strategic planning, financing, production, distribution, marketing,
accounting, wholesaling, and/or labor relations. This first-hand
experience in the U.S. economy enables Interns to become leaders in
establishing and operating a market economy in Eurasia, and creates a
unique opportunity for Host Firms to familiarize key executives from
Eurasia with their products and services. Host Firms will benefit by
establishing relationships with managers in similar industries who are
uniquely positioned to assist their Host Firms in doing business in
Eurasia.
Scientists: SABIT provides opportunities for gifted scientists to
apply their skills to peaceful research and development in the civilian
sector, in areas such as defense conversion, medical research, and the
environment, and exposes them to the role of scientific research in a
market economy where applicability of research relates to business
success. Host Firms in the U.S. scientific community also benefit from
exchanging information and ideas, and different approaches to new
technologies.
All internships must last between three to six months; however, ITA
reserves the right to allow an Intern to stay for a shorter period of
time (not less than one month). ITA will reimburse Host Firms for the
round trip international travel (coach class tickets) of each Intern
from the Intern's home city in Eurasia to the U.S. internship site, a
stipend of $34 per day to the Intern(s), and housing costs of up to
$500.00 per month (excluding utilities or telephone services). For
cities with higher costs of living, ITA will reimburse Host Firms up to
$750.00 a month (excluding utilities or telephone services) for housing
costs. Interns must return to their home countries immediately upon
completion of their U.S. internships.
Host Firms wishing to utilize SABIT in order to be matched with an
Intern without applying for financial assistance may do so. Such firms
will be responsible for all costs, including travel expenses, related
to sponsoring the Intern. However, prior to acceptance as a SABIT
Intern, work plans and candidates must be approved by the SABIT
program. Furthermore, program training will be monitored by SABIT staff
and evaluated upon completion of training. ITA does not guarantee that
it will match Host Firms with the Intern profile provided to SABIT.
Award Period: Recipient firms will have one year from the date
listed on the Financial Assistance Award form, CD-450, to expend all
funds. However, DOC reserves the right to extend the award period if
the Host Firm can justify the need for extra time.
Eligibility: Eligible applicants for the SABIT program include all
for-profit or non-profit U.S. corporations, associations, organizations
or other public or private entities located in the United States.
Agencies or divisions of the Federal Government are not eligible.
However, state and local governments are eligible.
Matching Requirements: The SABIT program budget does not include
matching requirements, however, Host Firms are expected to bear the
costs beyond the $34 per day stipend, additional lodging costs
(including utilities and local telephone service) beyond the reimbursed
amount, any training-related travel within the United States, visa
cost, emergency medical insurance, training manuals and provisions of
the hands-on training for the Interns.
Project Funding Priorities: Applicants must indicate business
sector(s). Although applicants operating in any industry sector may
apply to the program, priority consideration is given to those
operating in the following sectors: (a) Agribusiness (including food
processing and distribution, and agricultural equipment), (b)
Environment (including environmental clean up), (c) Financial services
(including banking and accounting), (d) Construction and infrastructure
development (including housing and transportation), (e) Medical
equipment, supplies, pharmaceuticals, and health care management.
Priority funding will also be given to applicants applying to host
Interns from the following countries: Armenia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan,
Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan.
Evaluation and Selection Procedures: Each application will receive
an independent, objective review by one or more three or four-member
review panels qualified to evaluate applications submitted under the
program. Panels may include federal employees and non-federal
individuals. No consensus advice will be given by the panel.
Applications received before the deadline will be evaluated on a
competitive basis in accordance with the selection evaluation criteria
set forth below. Applications that have received a passing score of 70
or above, based on the weighted evaluation criteria, will be ranked and
awards will be made by the selecting official based on the evaluation
criteria and selection factors until funds are depleted. Applications
receiving scores below 70 will not be considered. ITA reserves the
right to
[[Page 5160]]
limit the award amount as well as the number of Interns per applicant.
Applicants must provide evidence of a satisfactory record of
performance in grants, contracts and/or cooperative agreements with the
Federal Government, if applicable. Applicants who are or have been
deficient in current or recent performance in their grants, contracts,
and/or cooperative agreements with the Federal Government shall be
presumed to be unable to meet this requirement. If the applicant has a
Federal Government Performance Record Statement, this must be specified
in the Application Kit. If there is no record to date, the applicant
should indicate this. Applicants who do not have a Federal Government
Performance Record Statement will not be penalized.
Evaluation Criteria: Consideration for financial assistance will be
given to those applications that provide the following (listed in order
of decreasing importance so that criterion number 1 is most important,
followed by criterion number 2, etc.):
(1) Work Plan. The applicant must provide a detailed work plan for
the intended training. If the applicant is providing different training
plans for different Interns, it MUST attach a separate work plan for
each. If Interns will be trained on the same plan, only one plan needs
to be attached. If an internship will take place at several
organizations, a work plan for each organization must be provided. The
work plan must include: (a) A detailed week-by-week description of
internship activities; (b) a description of the Intern's duties and
responsibilities; (c) complete contact information for the everyday
internship coordinator; (d) locations of training within the company,
if the internship(s) will be in different divisions; (e) locations of
training outside the company. If the Intern will spend substantial
amounts of time at one or more external organizations or companies
(over one week) the applicant MUST provide a letter from each of those
companies, indicating their willingness and ability to provide the
planned training. Evaluation Scale: 0-40 points.
(2) Training Objectives Statement. The applicant must provide an
objectives statement, clearly titled ``Training Objectives'' with the
name of the applicant noted indicating the reason why the applicant
wishes to provide a professional training experience to an Intern. The
applicant must explain how the proposed training would further the
intent and goals of the SABIT program to provide practical, on-the-job,
non-academic, non-classroom training for a professional-level Intern.
Evaluation Scale: 0-30 points.
(3) Intern Description(s) and Resume(s): The applicant should
provide descriptions of the experience, education, and skills desired
in an Intern for the training they intend to provide. If an applicant
desires Interns from a specific region or country of Eurasia, it should
be indicated in the application. If an applicant has nominated Interns
for training, the Interns' resumes must be attached. Additionally, the
applicant must describe the relationship that it has with each Intern.
All Interns must meet SABIT criteria in order to participate.
Evaluation Scale: 0-15 points.
(4) Financial Resources Documentation: Applicants must provide
evidence of adequate financial resources to cover the costs involved in
providing an internship(s). Evidence may include a published annual
report, or a letter from the applicant's outside, independent
accountant attesting to the applicant's financial ability to support
the training program planned and the funds requested or a letter from
the applicant's bank. All letters must be on the accountant's or bank's
letterhead and addressed to the United States Department of Commerce.
Evaluation Scale: 0-15 points.
Selection Factors: The selecting official reserves the right to
select Host Firms based on U.S. geographic location, organization size
as well as priority business sectors and country priorities (listed in
Project Funding Priorities, above) and past performance. Host Firms may
be eligible, pursuant to approval of an amendment of an active award,
to host additional Interns under the program. The Director of the SABIT
program is the selecting official for each award.
Intergovernmental Review: Applications under this program are not
subject to Executive Order 12372, ``Intergovernmental Review of Federal
Programs.''
Application Forms and Kit: To obtain an Application Kit, please
refer to the section above marked ADDRESSES. An original and two copies
of the application (including all relevant standard forms and
supplemental material) are to be sent to the address designated in the
Application Kit and must be received no later than 5 p.m. Eastern Time
on the closing date. Applicants are encouraged to sign the original
application (including forms) with blue ink.
Other Requirements: DOC's Pre-Award Notification Requirements for
Grants and Cooperative Agreements, which are contained in Federal
Register Notice of December 30, 2004 (69 FR 78389), are applicable to
this solicitation.
All applicants are advised of the following:
1. Host Firms will be required to comply with all relevant U.S. tax
and export regulations. Export controls may relate not only to
licensing of products for export, but also to technical data transfer.
DOC's Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS formerly BXA, the Bureau of
Export Administration) reviews applications to determine whether export
licenses are required. SABIT will not award a grant until any export
license issue has been satisfied.
2. The following statutes apply to this program: Section 907 of the
FREEDOM Support Act, Public Law 102-511, 22 U.S.C. 5812 note
(Restriction on Assistance to the Government of Azerbaijan); Public Law
107-115 (Waiver of Section 907 of the FREEDOM Support Act); 7 U.S.C.
5201 et seq. (Agricultural Competitiveness and Trade--the Bumpers
Amendment); The Foreign Assistance Act of 1961, as amended, including
Chapter 11 of Part I, Section 498A(b), Public Law 102-511, 22 U.S.C.
2295a(b) (regarding ineligibility for assistance); 22 U.S.C. 2420(a),
Section 660(a) of The Foreign Assistance Act of 1961, as amended
(Police Training Prohibition); and provisions in the annual Foreign
Operations, Export Financing, and Related Programs Appropriations Acts,
concerning impact on jobs in the United States (see, e.g., Section 536
of Pub. L. 106-113).
3. The collection of information is approved by the Office of
Management and Budget (OMB), OMB Control Number 0625-0225. Public
reporting for this collection of information is estimated to be eight
hours per response, including the time for reviewing instructions, and
completing and reviewing the collection of information. All responses
to this collection of information are voluntary, and will be protected
from disclosure to the extent allowed under the Freedom of Information
Act.
The use of Standard Forms 270, 424 and 424B is approved under OMB
Control Numbers 0348-0004, 0348-0043 and 0348-0040, respectively.
Notwithstanding any other provision of law, no person is required to
respond to, nor shall any 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. Send comments regarding
the burden estimate or any
[[Page 5161]]
other aspect of this collection of information, including suggestions
for reducing this burden, to the Reports Clearance Officer,
International Trade Administration, Department of Commerce, Room 4001,
14th and Constitution Avenue NW., Washington, DC 20230.
4. Executive Order 13132: It has been determined that this notice
does not contain policies with Federalism implications as that term is
defined in E.O. 13132.
5. Administrative Procedure Act/Regulatory Flexibility Act: Because
prior notice and opportunity for public comment are not required by the
Administrative Procedure Act for rules concerning public property,
loans, grants, benefits and contracts (5 U.S.C. 553(a)(2)), a
Regulatory Flexibility Analysis is not required and has not been
prepared for this notice (5 U.S.C. 601 et seq.).
Dated: January 26, 2005.
Tracy M. Rollins,
Director, SABIT Program.
[FR Doc. E5-362 Filed 1-31-05; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-DS-P