Revisions to User Fees for Export and Investment Promotion Services/Events, 93660-93664 [2016-30423]
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Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 245 / Wednesday, December 21, 2016 / Notices
2. Magnitude of the Margins Likely To
Prevail
VII. Final Results of Sunset Reviews
VIII. Recommendation
[FR Doc. 2016–30732 Filed 12–20–16; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510–DS–P
DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
International Trade Administration
[Docket No. 161020988–6988–01]
RIN 0625–XC026
Revisions to User Fees for Export and
Investment Promotion Services/Events
U.S. & Foreign Commercial
Service, International Trade
Administration, Commerce.
ACTION: Notice of proposed fee revisions
and request for comment.
AGENCY:
The U.S. & Foreign
Commercial Service (US&FCS) within
the International Trade Administration
(ITA) is seeking comment on its
proposal to adjust user fees in light of
an independent cost study which
concluded that the US&FCS is not fully
covering its costs for providing services
under the current fee structure, as
provided in the Office of Management
and Budget (OMB) Circular A–25. ITA
provides a wide range of export and
investment promotion information and
services to U.S. individuals and entities.
The services considered here are a
subset of ITA activities that involve
relatively more intensive time
engagements with particular client
firms; ITA will continue to provide
information and services that are less
intensive and/or benefit the general
public without charge. As part of this
proposal, US&FCS also proposes to
revise the standards related to company
size for determining the fees to be
charged.
SUMMARY:
We will consider all comments
that we receive by January 16, 2017.
ADDRESSES: You may submit comments
by either of the following methods:
• Federal eRulemaking Portal:
www.Regulations.gov. The identification
number is ITA–2016–0012.
• Postal Mail/Commercial Delivery to
Docket No. ITA–2016–0012,
International Trade Administration,
U.S. & Foreign Commercial Service,
Office of Strategic Planning & Resource
Management, 1400 Constitution Avenue
NW., Rm. C125, Washington, DC 20235.
Instructions: Comments sent by any
other method, to any other address or
individual, or received after the end of
the comment period, may not be
considered by US&FCS. All comments
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DATES:
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received are a part of the public record
and will generally be posted for public
viewing on www.regulations.gov
without change. All personal identifying
information (e.g., name, address, etc.),
confidential business information, or
otherwise sensitive information
submitted voluntarily by the sender will
be publicly accessible. US&FCS will
accept anonymous comments (enter ‘‘N/
A’’ in required fields if you wish to
remain anonymous).
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ms.
Aditi Palli, International Trade
Administration, U.S. & Foreign
Commercial Service, Office of Strategic
Planning, 1400 Constitution Avenue
NW., Rm. 21022, Washington, DC
20230, Phone: (202) 482–2025.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Background
The statutory mission of US&FCS is to
‘‘place primary emphasis on the
promotion of exports of goods and
services from the United States,
particularly by small businesses and
medium-sized businesses, and on the
protection of United States business
interests abroad . . . through activities
that include assisting United States
exporters.’’ 15 U.S.C. Sec. 4721(b). The
statute further defines the term ‘‘United
States exporter’’ at 15 U.S.C. Sec. 4721(j)
as a U.S. citizen, U.S. corporation, or
foreign corporation that is more than
95% U.S.-owned, that ‘‘exports or seeks
to export, goods or services produced in
the United States.’’ In addition, US&FCS
leads the federal government’s
investment promotion efforts ‘‘to attract
and retain investment in the American
economy’’ as provided in Executive
Order 13577—SelectUSA Initiative
(June 15, 2011). In carrying out these
efforts, US&FCS may collect user fees
from U.S. economic development
organizations that seek to promote their
locality to foreign investors.
OMB Circular A–25 requires the
recovery of an appropriate share of the
full cost through user fees for goods and
services provided to recipients of
benefits beyond those accruing to the
general public. Specifically, section 6 of
Circular A–25 states that ‘‘when a
service (or privilege) provides special
benefits to an identifiable recipient
beyond those that accrue to the general
public, a charge will be imposed (to
recover the full cost to the Federal
Government for providing the special
benefit, or the market price).’’ A ‘‘user
fee’’ is the amount paid by a recipient
of a special benefit beyond those
benefits accruing to the general public.
A ‘‘special benefit’’ may accrue and a
user fee be imposed when a government
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service: (a) Enables the beneficiary to
obtain more immediate or substantial
gains or values than those that accrue to
the general public; (b) is performed at
the request or for the convenience of the
recipient, and is beyond the services
regularly received by members of the
same industry or group or by the general
public; or (c) provides business stability
or contributes to public confidence in
the business activity of the beneficiary.
The direct or indirect cost of a service
provided by the Federal Government
includes, but is not limited to, the
following:
• Direct and indirect personnel costs,
including salaries and fringe benefits
such as medical insurance and
retirement. Retirement costs should
include all (funded or unfunded)
accrued costs not covered by employee
contributions as specified in Circular
A–11.
• Physical overhead, consulting, or
other indirect costs including material
and supply costs, utilities, insurance
travel, and rents or imputed rents on
land, buildings, and equipment.
• The management and supervisory
costs.
• The costs of enforcement,
collection, research, establishment of
standards, and regulation, including any
environmental impact statements.
Business Size Standards
To comply with the Small Business
Act, US&FCS, in consultation with the
Small Business Administration (SBA),
proposes the following standards related
to company size:
• Small Business: The company
qualifies as a ‘‘small business’’ under
SBA’s size standards matched to the
North American Industry Classification
System Codes.
• Medium-sized Business: The
company does not qualify under SBA’s
size standards matched to the North
American Industry Classification
System Codes, but has less than $1
billion in annual revenue.
• Large Business: The company does
not qualify under SBA’s size standards
matched to the North American
Industry Classification System Codes
and has more than $1 billion in annual
revenue.
The US&FCS is committed to
ensuring small and medium-sized
enterprises (SMEs) can access the
services that US&FCS provides. The
US&FCS has historically offered a
discount to SMEs, as well as to U.S.
economic development organizations
and non-profit educational institutions.
US&FCS proposes to continue
discounted fees for these target
populations. Rather than applying a
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standard discount rate to all services,
the fees proposed for each service are
based on price sensitivity survey results
as well as other considerations, such as
the need to ensure that user fees set the
proper expectation about the valueadded for one service relative to other
service offerings. The result is an
average discount of 70 percent for small
companies, U.S. economic development
organizations, and non-profit
educational institutions, and 30 percent
for medium-sized companies.
User Fee Schedule
The US&FCS offers export and
investment promotion services to U.S.
businesses that consist of Standardized
Fee Services and Customized Fee
Services. For each of these services, the
US&FCS collects fees according to the
User Fee Schedule that is made
available on its Web site and agency
publications. The ‘‘Standardized Fee
Services’’ listed in the User Fee
Schedule are services that are performed
in the same general manner by all
US&FCS field units. Other ‘‘Customized
Services,’’ not shown in the chart below,
entail substantive variation of the scope
of work with fees based on the level of
effort required and direct costs incurred.
Under this notice, US&FCS proposes to
turn more Customized Fee Services into
Standardized Fee Services to improve
the consistency and clarity of fees to be
charged.
The US&FCS proposes to modify the
user fees for both Standardized Fee
Services and Customized Fee Services.
The proposed new User Fee Schedule
provided below lists each standardized
fee service and the estimated number of
hours for completion of service delivery.
To determine the large company fee for
any service, a flat hourly rate of $46 for
locally employed staff, $150 for
commercial officers and $80 for U.S.based staff is multiplied by the
estimated workload hours for each
employee type. To determine the fees
for a small business and medium-sized
business, price sensitivity survey results
were analyzed to determine the
discount to be applied. Direct costs,
such as transportation or an interpreter,
will be discussed with the client and
assessed in addition to the user fee. For
Customized Fee Services, the estimated
workload hours will vary, but the user
fee will be calculated based on the
weighted average hourly rate of $90 per
hour for large companies, $70 per hour
for medium-sized enterprises, and $30
per hour for small businesses. The
services included in this proposal are
described below.
1. Business Service Provider A listing
of U.S. and foreign business service
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providers that offer export/investment
assistance; such as consultants, lawyers,
freight forwarders, etc. The fee is paid
for by the business service provider to
be listed on US&FCS’s Web sites.
2. Certified Trade/Investment Mission:
Provides a group of U.S. companies or
economic development organizations
with a market briefing, networking
reception and Gold Key Service incountry as part of a mission organized
by an economic development
organization or US&FCS office/team.
The fees for these missions are separate
from DOC Executive-led Missions,
which are organized by Industry and
Analysis/Trade Promotion Programs.
3. Featured U.S. Exporter: Provides
U.S. companies with an opportunity to
enhance their international marketing
efforts through improved search engine
optimization via .gov link-backs to their
company’s Web site. The service entails
listing their goods/services overseas on
a trusted U.S. government Web site with
a brief description and contact
information.
4. Gold Key Service: Provides U.S.
companies with matchmaking
appointments with up to five interested
partners in a foreign market; including:
Identification and outreach to potential
matching firms; sending client’s
information to identified matching
firms; preparing a profile of interested
firms; and providing a report with the
profile and contact information for
interested firms.
5. Initial Market Check: Provides U.S.
firms with a report containing
information needed to evaluate the
potential of their product or service
offering in a specific target market;
including: A snapshot of the market
potential of the product/service;
feedback from up to five local contacts
on their level of interest in the product/
service; and analysis and
recommendations for next steps.
6. International Company Profile—
Full Report: Full: Provides U.S.
companies and economic development
organizations with a comprehensive
background report on a specific foreign
company, including: Information on
company size, sales data, business
activities, corporate structure,
shareholders and directors, references,
financial data creditworthiness and
market outlook; site visit and interviews
with principals; information sources
consulted in preparing the report; and
analysis of information collected.
7. International Company Profile—
Partial Report: Provides U.S. companies
and economic development
organizations with a partial background
report on a specific foreign company;
including: Information on company
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size, sales data, business activities,
references, corporate structure, and
shareholders/directors; information
sources consulted in preparing the
report; and brief analysis of information
collected.
8. International Partner Service:
Provides U.S. companies with a list of
up to five partners/distributors that have
expressed an interest in the client’s
goods/services; including: Identification
and outreach to potential matching
firms; sending client’s information to
identified matching firms; preparing a
profile of interested firms; and
providing a report with the profile and
contact information for interested firms.
9. International Partner Search +
Virtual Introductions: Provides the same
as above, but also includes virtual
introductions via conference calls with
up to five of the contacts identified.
10. Other Customized Services/
Events: Includes all other services/
events not listed.
11. Single Company or Location
Promotion: Provides a U.S. firm or
locality with a promotional event (such
as a technical seminar, press conference,
luncheon, dinner, cocktail reception,
etc.) to help increase awareness of their
locality or existing/new products/
services in a specific market, including:
organizing the event logistics/venue;
conducting a targeted direct mail or
email campaigns; managing the
promotional campaign and event-related
logistics; providing logistical and
promotional support on-site during the
event; and providing a post-event debriefing to discuss next steps.
12. Target Market Analysis: Provides
U.S. firms with an analysis of the most
promising target markets overseas for
their product/service based on analysis
of secondary research/data
(macroeconomic/commercial & trade/
risk data).
13. Trade Show Representation:
Provides U.S. companies and economic
development organizations with the
ability to increase their marketing
exposure at a trade show when they are
unable to attend in-person; entails
conducting pre-trade show promotions
via Internet/social media/email
campaign; representing the client at the
trade show; displaying the client’s
promotional materials at the trade show;
conducting outreach to foreign buyers/
distributors in attendance at the trade
show; and providing contact
information for each overseas company
that expressed interest in the client’s
products/services at the trade show.
14. Verified Contact List: Provides
U.S. firms with a basic contact list of up
to five to 10 agents, distributors and
partners in a foreign market. The
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information included in the contact list
will have been reviewed and verified for
accuracy only and no information will
be provided on the level of interest in
the client’s products/services.
15. Webinar: Provides U.S. firms and
economic development organizations
with export knowledge and/or market
intelligence from experts located around
the globe via an online webinar. The
webinars are archived on export.gov.
16. Web site Globalization: provides
U.S. companies with services to
enhance the strength of their Web site
for the purpose of attracting foreign
partners/business.
User Fee Discounts
The US&FCS currently offers various
discounts to SMEs, economic
development organizations and nonprofit educational institutions. US&FCS
proposes to discount services for all
small businesses, economic
development organization and nonprofit educational institutions by an
average of ∼70 percent and for all
medium-sized enterprises by an average
of ∼30 percent. Under this notice,
US&FCS also proposes to eliminate the
current SME incentive program, which
currently offers an additional discount
for first-time users of US&FCS services.
Full cost rates and SME discount rates
are provided on the next page so that
the public can comment upon the
implications of full and SME rates.
PROPOSED USER FEE SCHEDULE FOR EXPORT PROMOTION SERVICES
Current fee 1
Average hours
(per client)
Service/Event
Small 2
Proposed fee 1
Medium
Large 3
Small 2
Medium
Large 3
$300 ....................
+ $50 for translation if needed.
$28 per staff hour
+ any direct costs
$600 ....................
+ $50 for translation if needed.
$28 per staff hour
+ any direct costs
$600 ....................
+ $50 for translation if needed.
$28 per staff hour
+ any direct costs
$150 ....................
+ $50 for translation if needed.
Full Package:
$1,200.
Networking Reception and
GKS: $1,100
Market Briefing
and GKS:
$1,000
Market Briefing
and Networking
Reception: $250
+ any direct costs
$250 ....................
+ $50 for translation if needed.
Full Package:
$2,800.
Networking Reception and
GKS: $2,700
Market Briefing
and GKS:
$2,400
Market Briefing
and Networking
Reception: $500
+ any direct costs
$300 ....................
+ $50 for translation if needed.
$2,300 .................
+ $1,000 for 2nd
day.
$1,280 .................
$300 ....................
+ $50 for translation if needed.
$2,300 .................
+ $1,000 for 2nd
day.
$1,280 .................
$150 ....................
+ $50 for translation if needed.
$950 ....................
+ $350 for 2nd
day.
$450 ....................
$350 ....................
+ $50 for translation if needed.
$2,300 .................
+ $1,000 for 2nd
day.
$1,000 .................
$350
+ $50 for translation if needed.
Full Package:
$4,000.
Networking Reception and
GKS: $3,900.
Market Briefing
and GKS:
$3,500.
Market Briefing
and Networking
Reception:
$600.
+ any direct costs.
$500.
+ $50 for translation if needed.
$3,400.
+ $1,200 for 2nd
day.
$1,300.
4 ..........................
Certified Trade
Mission (market
briefing and/or
networking reception and/or
Gold Key Service—GKS).
70 ........................
Featured U.S. Exporter listing (5
markets).
Gold Key Service ..
8 ..........................
Initial Market
Check.
International Company Profile—
Full.
International Company Profile—
Partial.
International Partner Search.
International Partner Search +
Virtual Introductions.
Other Customized
Services and
Events.
Single Company
Promotion.
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Business Service
Provider.
20 ........................
$150 ....................
+ $50 for translation if needed.
$700 ....................
+ $350 for 2nd
day.
$450 ....................
31 ........................
$600 ....................
$900 ....................
$900 ....................
$700 ....................
$1,200 .................
$2,000.
12 ........................
N/A ......................
N/A ......................
N/A ......................
$350 ....................
$850 ....................
$1,100.
40 ........................
$550 ....................
$1,400 .................
$1,400 .................
$750 ....................
$1,400 .................
$2,800.
45 ........................
N/A ......................
N/A ......................
N/A ......................
$900 ....................
$1,750 .................
$3,250.
N/A ......................
$28 per staff hour
+ any direct costs
$80 per staff hour
+ any direct costs
$80 per staff hour
+ any direct costs
$30 per staff hour
+ any direct costs
$70 per staff hour
+ any direct costs
$90 per staff hour
+ any direct costs.
Events requires
$28 per staff hour
20 to 40; 40 to
+ any direct costs
80; or 80 to 110.
$80 per staff hour
+ any direct costs
$80 per staff hour
+ any direct costs
20 to 40 hours of
staff time: $800.
40 to 80 hours of
staff time:
$1,500
80 to 110 hours of
staff time:
$2,600
+ any direct costs.
Target Market
Analysis.
Trade Show Representation.
Verified Contact
List.
5 ..........................
N/A ......................
N/A ......................
N/A ......................
$150 ....................
20 to 40 hours of
staff time:
$1,800.
40 to 80 hours of
staff time:
$2,000
80 to 110 hours of
staff time:
$4,800
+ any direct costs.
$350 ....................
20 to 40 hours of
staff time:
$2,600.
40 to 80 hours of
staff time:
$4,500.
80 to 110 hours of
staff time:
$6,300.
+ any direct costs.
$500.
12 ........................
N/A ......................
N/A ......................
N/A ......................
$400 ....................
$950 ....................
$1,350.
5 ..........................
N/A ......................
N/A ......................
N/A ......................
$150 ....................
$350 ....................
$450.
62 ........................
1 Other direct costs not included in the service
description must be assumed by the client. Types
of other direct costs include translation,
transportation, use of contractors, venue rental,
catering, etc.
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2 Fees listed also apply to Economic Development
Organizations and Non-profit Educational
Institutions
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3 Fees listed also apply to Foreign Companies,
regardless of their size, that use US&FCS services,
particularly the Business Service Provider listing, to
promote themselves to U.S. exporters.
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93663
PROPOSED USER FEE SCHEDULE FOR EXPORT PROMOTION SERVICES—Continued
Current fee 1
Proposed fee 1
Average hours
(per client)
Small 2
Medium
Large 3
Small 2
Medium
Webinar ................
2 ..........................
$28 per staff hour
$28 per staff hour
$28 per staff hour
Website
Globalization.
4 ..........................
N/A ......................
N/A ......................
N/A ......................
$25 per webinar
hour.
$100 ....................
$25 per webinar
hour.
$300 ....................
Service/Event
Large 3
$25 per webinar
hour.
$400.
PROPOSED USER FEE SCHEDULE FOR INVESTMENT PROMOTION SERVICES
Average hours
(per client)
Current fee for economic
development
organizations 4
Certified Investment Mission
(market briefing, networking reception and
Gold Key Service).
70 .......................................
$28 per staff hour ..............
+ any direct costs.
Gold Key Service .................
62 .......................................
International Company Profile—Full.
International Company Profile—Partial.
Other Customized Services/
Events.
Single Location Promotion ..
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Service
31 .......................................
$700 ...................................
+ $350 for 2nd day.
$600 ...................................
Full Package: $1,200.
Networking Reception and GKS: $1,100.
Market Briefing and GKS: $1,000.
Market Briefing and Networking Reception: $250.
+ any direct costs.
$950
+ $350 for 2nd day.
$700.
12 .......................................
N/A .....................................
$350.
N/A .....................................
$28 per staff hour ..............
+ any direct costs.
$28 per staff hour ..............
+ any direct costs.
$30 per staff hour
+ any direct costs.
20–40 hours of staff time: $800.
40–80 hours of staff time: $1,500.
80–110 hours of staff time: $2,000.
+ any direct costs.
20 to 40; 40 to 80; or 80 to
110.
Proposed fee for economic development
organizations 4
Notes:
• Business Service Provider: Fee is for
up to 5 categories. To be listed in more
than 5 categories, there is an additional
fee per category of $60 for large
companies, $40 for medium-sized
enterprises and $30 for small
businesses.
• Certified Trade Mission: The fee is
assessed on a per Post/city basis.
Applicants will be charged a fee for an
Initial Market Check if US&FCS staff is
uncertain about their market potential.
The fee paid by the applicant will then
be applied to their Certified Trade
Mission fee if they participate in the
mission.
• Featured U.S. Exporter: Listings are
typically provided for up to 5 markets;
however, they can be provided for an
individual market for $100 for large
companies, $40 for medium-sized
enterprises and $30 for small
businesses.
• Initial Market Check: Will be a
required precursor to more time
intensive services if US&FCS staff is
uncertain about a client’s market
potential. Fees paid for the Initial
Market Check will then be applied to
any follow-on service if the results are
positive. The fee is assessed on a per
country basis.
• International Company Profile—
Partial: Does not include a site visit.
• Webinars will be archived and
made available to the general public, so
the requirement to cover US&FCS’s
costs does not apply; however, a
minimal fee is proposed to help ensure
the suitability of participants and cover
the cost of any special benefit that may
derive from attending in real-time, such
as question and answer opportunities.
Uniform pricing is proposed as the
enforcement of pricing by size standards
of each registrant would create an
administrative burden. Some webinars
will be provided at no charge when the
purpose is primarily to promote
US&FCS or other United States
Government events, activities, etc.
4 Other direct costs not included in the service
description must be covered by the client in the
form of additional user fees. Types of other direct
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Determining the Cost of Performing
Each Service
The cost of service methodology
developed by US&FCS was designed to
bring the organization closer to full cost
recovery guidance set forth in OMB
Circular A–25. To set user fees that are
‘‘self-sustaining,’’ the US&FCS had to
determine the true cost of providing
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various export and investment
promotion services.
Federal Accounting Standards permit
US&FCS to use an activity-based costing
model to determine the true cost of
services listed in the proposed User Fee
Schedule. The activities were defined in
accordance with the US&FCS list of
services offered by US&FCS, including
both standard and customized services.
As part of the cost of service study,
the US&FCS conducted a workload
survey to obtain a more accurate
estimate of the true cost for delivery of
specific services. The workload survey
was designed and distributed to all
US&FCS international and domestic
field units. The data submitted by
various US&FCS field units was then
aggregated to determine the global
average of workload for each standard or
customized service. Using FY2015
US&FCS budget data, fringe benefits and
non-labor related costs (e.g., materials,
supplies, rent, utilities, and equipment)
were prorated to determine the
burdening rate that was to be added to
the hourly rate. This resulted in an
hourly rate that accounts for all
applicable labor and non-labor costs
costs include translation, transportation, use of
contractors, venue rental, catering, etc.
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specifically related to the delivery of
services, which is consistent with
federal accounting standards.
Conclusion
Based on the information provided
above, the US&FCS believes its
proposed fees are consistent with both
the mission of US&FCS to promote
‘‘exports of goods and services from the
United States, particularly by small
businesses and medium-sized
businesses,’’ and the objective of OMB
Circular A–25 to ‘‘promote efficient
allocation of the nation’s resources by
establishing charges for special benefits
provided to the recipient that are at least
as great as the cost to the U.S.
Government of providing the special
benefits.’’
Frank Spector,
Senior Advisor, Office of Trade Promotion
Programs.
[FR Doc. 2016–30423 Filed 12–20–16; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510–FP–P
DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
International Trade Administration
[A–570–964; A–201–838]
Seamless Refined Copper Pipe and
Tube from the People’s Republic of
China and Mexico: Continuation of
Antidumping Duty Orders
Enforcement and Compliance,
International Trade Administration,
Department of Commerce.
SUMMARY: As a result of the
determinations by the Department of
Commerce (the ‘‘Department’’) and the
International Trade Commission (the
‘‘ITC’’) that revocation of the
antidumping duty (‘‘AD’’) orders on
seamless refined copper pipe and tube
(‘‘copper pipe and tube’’) from the
People’s Republic of China (‘‘PRC’’) and
Mexico would likely lead to a
continuation or recurrence of dumping
and material injury to an industry in the
United States, the Department is
publishing this notice of continuation of
the AD orders.
DATES: Effective December 21, 2016.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Robert Galantucci, 202–482–2923, AD/
CVD Operations, Enforcement and
Compliance, International Trade
Administration, U.S. Department of
Commerce, 14th Street and Constitution
Avenue NW., Washington, DC 20230.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
asabaliauskas on DSK3SPTVN1PROD with NOTICES
AGENCY:
Background
On November 22, 2010, the
Department published the AD orders on
VerDate Sep<11>2014
18:38 Dec 20, 2016
Jkt 241001
copper pipe and tube from the PRC and
Mexico.1 On October 1, 2015, the
Department initiated 2 and the ITC
instituted 3 five-year (sunset) reviews of
the Orders, pursuant to section 751(c) of
the Tariff Act of 1930, as amended (the
‘‘Act’’). As a result of its reviews, the
Department determined that revocation
of the Orders would likely lead to
continuation or recurrence of dumping.4
The Department, therefore, notified the
ITC of the magnitude of the dumping
margins likely to prevail should the
Orders be revoked.5 On December 8,
2016, the ITC published its
determination that revocation of the
Orders would likely lead to
continuation or recurrence of material
injury to an industry in the United
States within a reasonably foreseeable
time, pursuant to section 751(c) of the
Act.6
Scope of the Orders
For the purpose of the Orders, the
products covered are all seamless
circular refined copper pipes and tubes,
including redraw hollows, greater than
or equal to six inches (152.4 mm) in
length and measuring less than 12.130
inches (308.102 mm) (actual) in outside
diameter (‘‘OD’’), regardless of wall
thickness, bore (e.g., smooth, enhanced
with inner grooves or ridges),
manufacturing process (e.g., hot
finished, cold-drawn, annealed), outer
surface (e.g., plain or enhanced with
grooves, ridges, fins, or gills), end finish
(e.g., plain end, swaged end, flared end,
expanded end, crimped end, threaded),
coating (e.g., plastic, paint), insulation,
attachments (e.g., plain, capped,
plugged, with compression or other
fitting), or physical configuration (e.g.,
straight, coiled, bent, wound on spools).
The scope of the Orders covers, but is
not limited to, seamless refined copper
1 See Seamless Refined Copper Pipe and Tube
from Mexico and the People’s Republic of China:
Antidumping Duty Orders and Amended Final
Determination of Sales at Less Than Fair Value
from Mexico, 75 FR 71070 (November 22, 2010)
(‘‘Orders’’).
2 See Initiation of Five-Year (‘‘Sunset’’) Review, 80
FR 59133 (October 1, 2015).
3 See Seamless Refined Copper Pipe and Tube
from China and Mexico; Institution of Five-Year
Reviews, 80 FR 59186 (October 1, 2015).
4 See Seamless Refined Copper Pipe and Tube
from the People’s Republic of China and Mexico:
Preliminary Results of the Sunset Reviews of the
Antidumping Duty Orders, 81 FR 4252 (January 26,
2016) and accompanying Preliminary Decision
Memorandum; Seamless Refined Copper Pipe and
Tube from the People’s Republic of China and
Mexico: Final Results of the Full Sunset Reviews of
the Antidumping Duty Orders, 81 FR 38134 (June
13, 2016).
5 Id.
6 See Seamless Refined Copper Pipe and Tube
From China and Mexico; Determination, 81 FR
88704 (December 8, 2016).
PO 00000
Frm 00010
Fmt 4703
Sfmt 4703
pipe and tube produced or comparable
to the American Society for Testing and
Materials (‘‘ASTM’’) ASTM–B42,
ASTM–B68, ASTM–B75, ASTM–B88,
ASTM–B88M, ASTM–B188, ASTM–
B251, ASTM–B251M, ASTM–B280,
ASTM–B302, ASTM–B306, ASTM–359,
ASTM–B743, ASTM–B819, and ASTM–
B903 specifications and meeting the
physical parameters described therein.
Also included within the scope of the
Orders are all sets of covered products,
including ‘‘line sets’’ of seamless refined
copper tubes (with or without fittings or
insulation) suitable for connecting an
outdoor air conditioner or heat pump to
an indoor evaporator unit. The phrase
‘‘all sets of covered products’’ denotes
any combination of items put up for sale
that is comprised of merchandise
subject to the scope.
‘‘Refined copper’’ is defined as: (1)
Metal containing at least 99.85 percent
by weight of copper; or (2) metal
containing at least 97.5 percent by
weight of copper, provided that the
content by weight of any other element
does not exceed the following limits:
Element
Ag—Silver .............................
As—Arsenic ..........................
Cd—Cadmium ......................
Cr—Chromium ......................
Mg—Magnesium ...................
Pb—Lead ..............................
S—Sulfur ..............................
Sn—Tin .................................
Te—Tellurium .......................
Zn—Zinc ...............................
Zr—Zirconium .......................
Other elements (each) ..........
Limiting
Content
Percent by
Weight
0.25
0.5
1.3
1.4
0.8
1.5
0.7
0.8
0.8
1.0
0.3
0.3
Excluded from the scope of the Orders
are all seamless circular hollows of
refined copper less than 12 inches in
length whose OD (actual) exceeds its
length. The products subject to the
Orders are currently classifiable under
subheadings 7411.10.1030 and
7411.10.1090 of the Harmonized Tariff
Schedule of the United States
(‘‘HTSUS’’). Products subject to the
Orders may also enter under HTSUS
subheadings 7407.10.1500,
7419.99.5050, 8415.90.8065, and
8415.90.8085. Although the HTSUS
subheadings are provided for
convenience and customs purposes, the
written description of the scope of the
Orders is dispositive.
Continuation of the Orders
As a result of the determinations by
the Department and the ITC that
revocation of the Orders would likely
lead to continuation or recurrence of
E:\FR\FM\21DEN1.SGM
21DEN1
]]>Agencies
[Federal Register Volume 81, Number 245 (Wednesday, December 21, 2016)]
[Notices]
[Pages 93660-93664]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2016-30423]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
International Trade Administration
[Docket No. 161020988-6988-01]
RIN 0625-XC026
Revisions to User Fees for Export and Investment Promotion
Services/Events
AGENCY: U.S. & Foreign Commercial Service, International Trade
Administration, Commerce.
ACTION: Notice of proposed fee revisions and request for comment.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: The U.S. & Foreign Commercial Service (US&FCS) within the
International Trade Administration (ITA) is seeking comment on its
proposal to adjust user fees in light of an independent cost study
which concluded that the US&FCS is not fully covering its costs for
providing services under the current fee structure, as provided in the
Office of Management and Budget (OMB) Circular A-25. ITA provides a
wide range of export and investment promotion information and services
to U.S. individuals and entities. The services considered here are a
subset of ITA activities that involve relatively more intensive time
engagements with particular client firms; ITA will continue to provide
information and services that are less intensive and/or benefit the
general public without charge. As part of this proposal, US&FCS also
proposes to revise the standards related to company size for
determining the fees to be charged.
DATES: We will consider all comments that we receive by January 16,
2017.
ADDRESSES: You may submit comments by either of the following methods:
Federal eRulemaking Portal: www.Regulations.gov. The
identification number is ITA-2016-0012.
Postal Mail/Commercial Delivery to Docket No. ITA-2016-
0012, International Trade Administration, U.S. & Foreign Commercial
Service, Office of Strategic Planning & Resource Management, 1400
Constitution Avenue NW., Rm. C125, Washington, DC 20235.
Instructions: Comments sent by any other method, to any other
address or individual, or received after the end of the comment period,
may not be considered by US&FCS. All comments received are a part of
the public record and will generally be posted for public viewing on
www.regulations.gov without change. All personal identifying
information (e.g., name, address, etc.), confidential business
information, or otherwise sensitive information submitted voluntarily
by the sender will be publicly accessible. US&FCS will accept anonymous
comments (enter ``N/A'' in required fields if you wish to remain
anonymous).
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ms. Aditi Palli, International Trade
Administration, U.S. & Foreign Commercial Service, Office of Strategic
Planning, 1400 Constitution Avenue NW., Rm. 21022, Washington, DC
20230, Phone: (202) 482-2025.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Background
The statutory mission of US&FCS is to ``place primary emphasis on
the promotion of exports of goods and services from the United States,
particularly by small businesses and medium-sized businesses, and on
the protection of United States business interests abroad . . . through
activities that include assisting United States exporters.'' 15 U.S.C.
Sec. 4721(b). The statute further defines the term ``United States
exporter'' at 15 U.S.C. Sec. 4721(j) as a U.S. citizen, U.S.
corporation, or foreign corporation that is more than 95% U.S.-owned,
that ``exports or seeks to export, goods or services produced in the
United States.'' In addition, US&FCS leads the federal government's
investment promotion efforts ``to attract and retain investment in the
American economy'' as provided in Executive Order 13577--SelectUSA
Initiative (June 15, 2011). In carrying out these efforts, US&FCS may
collect user fees from U.S. economic development organizations that
seek to promote their locality to foreign investors.
OMB Circular A-25 requires the recovery of an appropriate share of
the full cost through user fees for goods and services provided to
recipients of benefits beyond those accruing to the general public.
Specifically, section 6 of Circular A-25 states that ``when a service
(or privilege) provides special benefits to an identifiable recipient
beyond those that accrue to the general public, a charge will be
imposed (to recover the full cost to the Federal Government for
providing the special benefit, or the market price).'' A ``user fee''
is the amount paid by a recipient of a special benefit beyond those
benefits accruing to the general public. A ``special benefit'' may
accrue and a user fee be imposed when a government service: (a) Enables
the beneficiary to obtain more immediate or substantial gains or values
than those that accrue to the general public; (b) is performed at the
request or for the convenience of the recipient, and is beyond the
services regularly received by members of the same industry or group or
by the general public; or (c) provides business stability or
contributes to public confidence in the business activity of the
beneficiary.
The direct or indirect cost of a service provided by the Federal
Government includes, but is not limited to, the following:
Direct and indirect personnel costs, including salaries
and fringe benefits such as medical insurance and retirement.
Retirement costs should include all (funded or unfunded) accrued costs
not covered by employee contributions as specified in Circular A-11.
Physical overhead, consulting, or other indirect costs
including material and supply costs, utilities, insurance travel, and
rents or imputed rents on land, buildings, and equipment.
The management and supervisory costs.
The costs of enforcement, collection, research,
establishment of standards, and regulation, including any environmental
impact statements.
Business Size Standards
To comply with the Small Business Act, US&FCS, in consultation with
the Small Business Administration (SBA), proposes the following
standards related to company size:
Small Business: The company qualifies as a ``small
business'' under SBA's size standards matched to the North American
Industry Classification System Codes.
Medium-sized Business: The company does not qualify under
SBA's size standards matched to the North American Industry
Classification System Codes, but has less than $1 billion in annual
revenue.
Large Business: The company does not qualify under SBA's
size standards matched to the North American Industry Classification
System Codes and has more than $1 billion in annual revenue.
The US&FCS is committed to ensuring small and medium-sized
enterprises (SMEs) can access the services that US&FCS provides. The
US&FCS has historically offered a discount to SMEs, as well as to U.S.
economic development organizations and non-profit educational
institutions. US&FCS proposes to continue discounted fees for these
target populations. Rather than applying a
[[Page 93661]]
standard discount rate to all services, the fees proposed for each
service are based on price sensitivity survey results as well as other
considerations, such as the need to ensure that user fees set the
proper expectation about the value-added for one service relative to
other service offerings. The result is an average discount of 70
percent for small companies, U.S. economic development organizations,
and non-profit educational institutions, and 30 percent for medium-
sized companies.
User Fee Schedule
The US&FCS offers export and investment promotion services to U.S.
businesses that consist of Standardized Fee Services and Customized Fee
Services. For each of these services, the US&FCS collects fees
according to the User Fee Schedule that is made available on its Web
site and agency publications. The ``Standardized Fee Services'' listed
in the User Fee Schedule are services that are performed in the same
general manner by all US&FCS field units. Other ``Customized
Services,'' not shown in the chart below, entail substantive variation
of the scope of work with fees based on the level of effort required
and direct costs incurred. Under this notice, US&FCS proposes to turn
more Customized Fee Services into Standardized Fee Services to improve
the consistency and clarity of fees to be charged.
The US&FCS proposes to modify the user fees for both Standardized
Fee Services and Customized Fee Services. The proposed new User Fee
Schedule provided below lists each standardized fee service and the
estimated number of hours for completion of service delivery. To
determine the large company fee for any service, a flat hourly rate of
$46 for locally employed staff, $150 for commercial officers and $80
for U.S.-based staff is multiplied by the estimated workload hours for
each employee type. To determine the fees for a small business and
medium-sized business, price sensitivity survey results were analyzed
to determine the discount to be applied. Direct costs, such as
transportation or an interpreter, will be discussed with the client and
assessed in addition to the user fee. For Customized Fee Services, the
estimated workload hours will vary, but the user fee will be calculated
based on the weighted average hourly rate of $90 per hour for large
companies, $70 per hour for medium-sized enterprises, and $30 per hour
for small businesses. The services included in this proposal are
described below.
1. Business Service Provider A listing of U.S. and foreign business
service providers that offer export/investment assistance; such as
consultants, lawyers, freight forwarders, etc. The fee is paid for by
the business service provider to be listed on US&FCS's Web sites.
2. Certified Trade/Investment Mission: Provides a group of U.S.
companies or economic development organizations with a market briefing,
networking reception and Gold Key Service in-country as part of a
mission organized by an economic development organization or US&FCS
office/team. The fees for these missions are separate from DOC
Executive-led Missions, which are organized by Industry and Analysis/
Trade Promotion Programs.
3. Featured U.S. Exporter: Provides U.S. companies with an
opportunity to enhance their international marketing efforts through
improved search engine optimization via .gov link-backs to their
company's Web site. The service entails listing their goods/services
overseas on a trusted U.S. government Web site with a brief description
and contact information.
4. Gold Key Service: Provides U.S. companies with matchmaking
appointments with up to five interested partners in a foreign market;
including: Identification and outreach to potential matching firms;
sending client's information to identified matching firms; preparing a
profile of interested firms; and providing a report with the profile
and contact information for interested firms.
5. Initial Market Check: Provides U.S. firms with a report
containing information needed to evaluate the potential of their
product or service offering in a specific target market; including: A
snapshot of the market potential of the product/service; feedback from
up to five local contacts on their level of interest in the product/
service; and analysis and recommendations for next steps.
6. International Company Profile--Full Report: Full: Provides U.S.
companies and economic development organizations with a comprehensive
background report on a specific foreign company, including: Information
on company size, sales data, business activities, corporate structure,
shareholders and directors, references, financial data creditworthiness
and market outlook; site visit and interviews with principals;
information sources consulted in preparing the report; and analysis of
information collected.
7. International Company Profile--Partial Report: Provides U.S.
companies and economic development organizations with a partial
background report on a specific foreign company; including: Information
on company size, sales data, business activities, references, corporate
structure, and shareholders/directors; information sources consulted in
preparing the report; and brief analysis of information collected.
8. International Partner Service: Provides U.S. companies with a
list of up to five partners/distributors that have expressed an
interest in the client's goods/services; including: Identification and
outreach to potential matching firms; sending client's information to
identified matching firms; preparing a profile of interested firms; and
providing a report with the profile and contact information for
interested firms.
9. International Partner Search + Virtual Introductions: Provides
the same as above, but also includes virtual introductions via
conference calls with up to five of the contacts identified.
10. Other Customized Services/Events: Includes all other services/
events not listed.
11. Single Company or Location Promotion: Provides a U.S. firm or
locality with a promotional event (such as a technical seminar, press
conference, luncheon, dinner, cocktail reception, etc.) to help
increase awareness of their locality or existing/new products/services
in a specific market, including: organizing the event logistics/venue;
conducting a targeted direct mail or email campaigns; managing the
promotional campaign and event-related logistics; providing logistical
and promotional support on-site during the event; and providing a post-
event de-briefing to discuss next steps.
12. Target Market Analysis: Provides U.S. firms with an analysis of
the most promising target markets overseas for their product/service
based on analysis of secondary research/data (macroeconomic/commercial
& trade/risk data).
13. Trade Show Representation: Provides U.S. companies and economic
development organizations with the ability to increase their marketing
exposure at a trade show when they are unable to attend in-person;
entails conducting pre-trade show promotions via Internet/social media/
email campaign; representing the client at the trade show; displaying
the client's promotional materials at the trade show; conducting
outreach to foreign buyers/distributors in attendance at the trade
show; and providing contact information for each overseas company that
expressed interest in the client's products/services at the trade show.
14. Verified Contact List: Provides U.S. firms with a basic contact
list of up to five to 10 agents, distributors and partners in a foreign
market. The
[[Page 93662]]
information included in the contact list will have been reviewed and
verified for accuracy only and no information will be provided on the
level of interest in the client's products/services.
15. Webinar: Provides U.S. firms and economic development
organizations with export knowledge and/or market intelligence from
experts located around the globe via an online webinar. The webinars
are archived on export.gov.
16. Web site Globalization: provides U.S. companies with services
to enhance the strength of their Web site for the purpose of attracting
foreign partners/business.
User Fee Discounts
The US&FCS currently offers various discounts to SMEs, economic
development organizations and non-profit educational institutions.
US&FCS proposes to discount services for all small businesses, economic
development organization and non-profit educational institutions by an
average of ~70 percent and for all medium-sized enterprises by an
average of ~30 percent. Under this notice, US&FCS also proposes to
eliminate the current SME incentive program, which currently offers an
additional discount for first-time users of US&FCS services.
Full cost rates and SME discount rates are provided on the next
page so that the public can comment upon the implications of full and
SME rates.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ Other direct costs not included in the service description
must be assumed by the client. Types of other direct costs include
translation, transportation, use of contractors, venue rental,
catering, etc.
\2\ Fees listed also apply to Economic Development Organizations
and Non-profit Educational Institutions
\3\ Fees listed also apply to Foreign Companies, regardless of
their size, that use US&FCS services, particularly the Business
Service Provider listing, to promote themselves to U.S. exporters.
Proposed User Fee Schedule for Export Promotion Services
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Current fee \1\ Proposed fee \1\
Service/Event Average hours --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(per client) Small \2\ Medium Large \3\ Small \2\ Medium Large \3\
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Business Service Provider.... 4............... $300............ $600............ $600............ $150........... $250........... $350
+ $50 for + $50 for + $50 for + $50 for + $50 for + $50 for
translation if translation if translation if translation if translation if translation if
needed. needed. needed. needed. needed. needed.
Certified Trade Mission 70.............. $28 per staff $28 per staff $28 per staff Full Package: Full Package: Full Package:
(market briefing and/or hour. hour. hour. $1,200. $2,800. $4,000.
networking reception and/or + any direct + any direct + any direct Networking Networking Networking
Gold Key Service--GKS). costs. costs. costs. Reception and Reception and Reception and
GKS: $1,100. GKS: $2,700. GKS: $3,900.
Market Briefing Market Briefing Market Briefing
and GKS: and GKS: and GKS:
$1,000. $2,400. $3,500.
Market Briefing Market Briefing Market Briefing
and Networking and Networking and Networking
Reception: Reception: Reception:
$250. $500. $600.
+ any direct + any direct + any direct
costs. costs. costs.
Featured U.S. Exporter 8............... $150............ $300............ $300............ $150........... $350........... $500.
listing (5 markets). + $50 for + $50 for + $50 for + $50 for + $50 for + $50 for
translation if translation if translation if translation if translation if translation if
needed. needed. needed. needed. needed. needed.
Gold Key Service............. 62.............. $700............ $2,300.......... $2,300.......... $950........... $2,300......... $3,400.
+ $350 for 2nd + $1,000 for 2nd + $1,000 for 2nd + $350 for 2nd + $1,000 for + $1,200 for
day. day. day. day. 2nd day. 2nd day.
Initial Market Check......... 20.............. $450............ $1,280.......... $1,280.......... $450........... $1,000......... $1,300.
International Company 31.............. $600............ $900............ $900............ $700........... $1,200......... $2,000.
Profile--Full.
International Company 12.............. N/A............. N/A............. N/A............. $350........... $850........... $1,100.
Profile--Partial.
International Partner Search. 40.............. $550............ $1,400.......... $1,400.......... $750........... $1,400......... $2,800.
International Partner Search 45.............. N/A............. N/A............. N/A............. $900........... $1,750......... $3,250.
+ Virtual Introductions.
Other Customized Services and N/A............. $28 per staff $80 per staff $80 per staff $30 per staff $70 per staff $90 per staff
Events. hour. hour. hour. hour. hour. hour
+ any direct + any direct + any direct + any direct + any direct + any direct
costs. costs. costs. costs. costs. costs.
Single Company Promotion..... Events requires $28 per staff $80 per staff $80 per staff 20 to 40 hours 20 to 40 hours 20 to 40 hours
20 to 40; 40 to hour. hour. hour. of staff time: of staff time: of staff time:
80; or 80 to + any direct + any direct + any direct $800. $1,800. $2,600.
110. costs. costs. costs. 40 to 80 hours 40 to 80 hours 40 to 80 hours
of staff time: of staff time: of staff time:
$1,500. $2,000. $4,500.
80 to 110 hours 80 to 110 hours 80 to 110 hours
of staff time: of staff time: of staff time:
$2,600. $4,800. $6,300.
+ any direct + any direct + any direct
costs.. costs.. costs.
Target Market Analysis....... 5............... N/A............. N/A............. N/A............. $150........... $350........... $500.
Trade Show Representation.... 12.............. N/A............. N/A............. N/A............. $400........... $950........... $1,350.
Verified Contact List........ 5............... N/A............. N/A............. N/A............. $150........... $350........... $450.
[[Page 93663]]
Webinar...................... 2............... $28 per staff $28 per staff $28 per staff $25 per webinar $25 per webinar $25 per webinar
hour. hour. hour. hour. hour. hour.
Website Globalization........ 4............... N/A............. N/A............. N/A............. $100........... $300........... $400.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\4\ Other direct costs not included in the service description
must be covered by the client in the form of additional user fees.
Types of other direct costs include translation, transportation, use
of contractors, venue rental, catering, etc.
Proposed User Fee Schedule for Investment Promotion Services
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Current fee for Proposed fee for economic
Service Average hours (per economic development development organizations
client) organizations \4\ \4\
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Certified Investment Mission 70.................... $28 per staff hour.... Full Package: $1,200.
(market briefing, networking + any direct costs.... Networking Reception and
reception and Gold Key Service). GKS: $1,100.
Market Briefing and GKS:
$1,000.
Market Briefing and
Networking Reception:
$250.
+ any direct costs.
Gold Key Service................... 62.................... $700.................. $950
+ $350 for 2nd day.... + $350 for 2nd day.
International Company Profile--Full 31.................... $600.................. $700.
International Company Profile-- 12.................... N/A................... $350.
Partial.
Other Customized Services/Events... N/A................... $28 per staff hour.... $30 per staff hour
+ any direct costs.... + any direct costs.
Single Location Promotion.......... 20 to 40; 40 to 80; or $28 per staff hour.... 20-40 hours of staff time:
80 to 110. + any direct costs.... $800.
40-80 hours of staff time:
$1,500.
80-110 hours of staff time:
$2,000.
+ any direct costs.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Notes:
Business Service Provider: Fee is for up to 5 categories.
To be listed in more than 5 categories, there is an additional fee per
category of $60 for large companies, $40 for medium-sized enterprises
and $30 for small businesses.
Certified Trade Mission: The fee is assessed on a per
Post/city basis. Applicants will be charged a fee for an Initial Market
Check if US&FCS staff is uncertain about their market potential. The
fee paid by the applicant will then be applied to their Certified Trade
Mission fee if they participate in the mission.
Featured U.S. Exporter: Listings are typically provided
for up to 5 markets; however, they can be provided for an individual
market for $100 for large companies, $40 for medium-sized enterprises
and $30 for small businesses.
Initial Market Check: Will be a required precursor to more
time intensive services if US&FCS staff is uncertain about a client's
market potential. Fees paid for the Initial Market Check will then be
applied to any follow-on service if the results are positive. The fee
is assessed on a per country basis.
International Company Profile--Partial: Does not include a
site visit.
Webinars will be archived and made available to the
general public, so the requirement to cover US&FCS's costs does not
apply; however, a minimal fee is proposed to help ensure the
suitability of participants and cover the cost of any special benefit
that may derive from attending in real-time, such as question and
answer opportunities. Uniform pricing is proposed as the enforcement of
pricing by size standards of each registrant would create an
administrative burden. Some webinars will be provided at no charge when
the purpose is primarily to promote US&FCS or other United States
Government events, activities, etc.
Determining the Cost of Performing Each Service
The cost of service methodology developed by US&FCS was designed to
bring the organization closer to full cost recovery guidance set forth
in OMB Circular A-25. To set user fees that are ``self-sustaining,''
the US&FCS had to determine the true cost of providing various export
and investment promotion services.
Federal Accounting Standards permit US&FCS to use an activity-based
costing model to determine the true cost of services listed in the
proposed User Fee Schedule. The activities were defined in accordance
with the US&FCS list of services offered by US&FCS, including both
standard and customized services.
As part of the cost of service study, the US&FCS conducted a
workload survey to obtain a more accurate estimate of the true cost for
delivery of specific services. The workload survey was designed and
distributed to all US&FCS international and domestic field units. The
data submitted by various US&FCS field units was then aggregated to
determine the global average of workload for each standard or
customized service. Using FY2015 US&FCS budget data, fringe benefits
and non-labor related costs (e.g., materials, supplies, rent,
utilities, and equipment) were prorated to determine the burdening rate
that was to be added to the hourly rate. This resulted in an hourly
rate that accounts for all applicable labor and non-labor costs
[[Page 93664]]
specifically related to the delivery of services, which is consistent
with federal accounting standards.
Conclusion
Based on the information provided above, the US&FCS believes its
proposed fees are consistent with both the mission of US&FCS to promote
``exports of goods and services from the United States, particularly by
small businesses and medium-sized businesses,'' and the objective of
OMB Circular A-25 to ``promote efficient allocation of the nation's
resources by establishing charges for special benefits provided to the
recipient that are at least as great as the cost to the U.S. Government
of providing the special benefits.''
Frank Spector,
Senior Advisor, Office of Trade Promotion Programs.
[FR Doc. 2016-30423 Filed 12-20-16; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-FP-P
