Revisions and Clarifications to User Fees for Export and Investment Promotion Services/Events, 25431-25436 [2018-11812]

Download as PDF Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 106 / Friday, June 1, 2018 / Notices each exporter or producer specified in the request. Commerce will publish in the Federal Register a notice of ‘‘Initiation of Administrative Review of Antidumping or Countervailing Duty Order, Finding, or Suspended Investigation’’ for requests received by the last day of June 2018. If Commerce does not receive, by the last day of June 2018, a request for review of entries covered by an order, finding, or suspended investigation listed in this notice and for the period identified above, Commerce will instruct CBP to assess antidumping or countervailing duties on those entries at a rate equal to the cash deposit of estimated antidumping or countervailing duties required on those entries at the time of entry, or withdrawal from warehouse, for consumption and to continue to collect the cash deposit previously ordered. For the first administrative review of any order, there will be no assessment of antidumping or countervailing duties on entries of subject merchandise entered, or withdrawn from warehouse, for consumption during the relevant provisional-measures ‘‘gap’’ period of the order, if such a gap period is applicable to the period of review. This notice is not required by statute but is published as a service to the international trading community. Dated: May 16, 2018. James Maeder, Associate Deputy Assistant Secretary for Antidumping and Countervailing Duty Operations performing the duties of Deputy Assistant Secretary for Antidumping and Countervailing Duty Operations. [FR Doc. 2018–11814 Filed 5–31–18; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3510–DS–P DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE International Trade Administration [Docket No. 180507461–8461–01] RIN 0625–XC039 Revisions and Clarifications to User Fees for Export and Investment Promotion Services/Events International Trade Administration, Department of Commerce. ACTION: Notice of revised user fees. daltland on DSKBBV9HB2PROD with NOTICES AGENCY: The International Trade Administration (ITA) recently implemented new user fees for its export and investment promotion services/events in light of an independent cost study, which concluded that ITA was not fully SUMMARY: VerDate Sep<11>2014 17:06 May 31, 2018 Jkt 244001 covering its costs for providing services under the prior fee structure. Federal agencies are directed by Office of Management and Budget (OMB) Circular A–25 to ensure they recoup their costs when providing certain services. ITA is announcing revisions to its export and investment promotion User Fee Schedule, published on July 10, 2017. DATES: This user fee schedule will be effective on July 1, 2018. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. Joe Carter, International Trade Administration, Global Markets, Office of Strategic Planning, 1400 Constitution Avenue NW, Rm. 21022, Washington, DC 20230, Phone: (202) 482–2484. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Background Section 6 of OMB Circular A–25 directs agencies to asses a user fee ‘‘when a service (or privilege) provides special benefits to an identifiable recipient beyond those that accrue to the general public.’’ 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 should 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. ITA offers export and investment promotion services/events to U.S. businesses that consist of Standardized Fee Services/Events and NonStandardized Fee Services/Events. For each of these services/events, fees are collected according to the User Fee Schedule that is made available on the https://2016.export.gov/csuserfees/ website and agency publications. The ‘‘Standardized Fee Services/Events’’ listed in the User Fee Schedule are services/events that are performed in the same general manner by all field units. Other ‘‘Non-Standardized Fee Services/Events’’ entail substantive variation of the scope of work with fees based on the estimated level of effort required and all direct costs incurred. ITA is revising the user fees and offerings for both Standardized Fee Services/Events and Non-Standardized Fee Services/Events based on questions and concerns raised by ITA clients and partners since the current fee schedule PO 00000 Frm 00007 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 25431 was published on July 10, 2017 (82 FR 31752) that announced updates to the ITA user fee schedule for export and investment promotion services/events. The revised User Fee Schedule below lists the fee for each Standardized and Non-Standardized Fee export and investment promotion service/event. Fees listed in the revised User Fee Schedule are for ITA staff time only and do not include other direct costs (i.e., transportation, venue rental, catering/ food, etc.), which will incur an additional user fee to cover the full cost. Summary of Revisions The following services/events, which were previously considered ‘‘Other Customized Services/Events,’’ have been added to the User Fee Schedule to provide more clarity about ITA service/ event offerings (please see the descriptions of these services/events in the section below): • Conference: Non-Standardized Fee • Customized Market Research: NonStandardized Fee • Foreign Buyer Delegation: NonStandardized Fee • Official Letter: Standardized Fee • Seminar: Non-Standardized Fee • Seminar (Investment Promotion): Non-Standardized Fee • Trade Event: Non-Standardized Fee • Trade Event (Investment Promotion): Non-Standardized Fee • Virtual Fair: Non-Standardized Fee • Virtual Introduction: Standardized Fee The following services/events have been renamed: • Certified Trade Mission: previously listed as ‘‘Certified Trade/Investment Mission’’ • Contact List: previously listed as ‘‘Verified Contact List’’ • Facilitated Investment Mission: previously listed as ‘‘Certified Trade/ Investment Mission’’ • Other Services/Events: previously listed as ‘‘Other Customized Services/ Events’’ The following services/events have been removed: • Investment Promotion—Gold Key Service: this fee was inadvertently listed In addition, the following clarifications have been made to the fees previously listed in GM’s User Fee Schedule: • Certified Trade Mission: Converted to a Non-Standardized Fee Service/ Event, except for any Gold Key Service or Initial Market Check provided to participants, given substantial variations in the scope of activities performed that E:\FR\FM\01JNN1.SGM 01JNN1 25432 Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 106 / Friday, June 1, 2018 / Notices daltland on DSKBBV9HB2PROD with NOTICES were raised to ITA attention by clients and partners. • Facilitated Investment Mission: When the full package service is not requested, converted to a NonStandardized Fee Service/Event given substantial variations in the scope of activities often performed that were raised to ITA attention by clients and partners. • Featured U.S. Exporters: Additional Standardized Fee options have been included to account for standardized variations of the activities performed for this service. • Gold Key Service: Additional Standardized Fee options have been included to account for standardized variations of the activities performed for this service. • International Company Profile— Partial: Revised the standardized fees based on revisions to the scope of work for this service and updated information collected on the level of effort required to perform it. • International Partner Search: Fee corrected to the appropriate level of effort due to a calculation error. • International Partner Search Plus Virtual Introductions: Fee corrected to the appropriate level of effort due to a calculation error; additional Standardized Fee options have been included to account for standardized variations of the activities performed for this service. • Single Company/Location Promotion: Converted to a NonStandardized Fee Service/Event given substantial variations in activities performed that were raised to ITA attention by clients, partners and staff. • Foreign Companies: A column has been added to the User Fee schedule denoting the fees that will be charged to all foreign companies regardless of their size to provide assistance connecting them to U.S. exporters. Description of the Services/Events Listed in the Revised User Fee Schedule The services/events included in the revised User Fee Schedule are described below with the revisions italicized for emphasis. 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 ITA websites. 2. Certified Trade Mission (previously listed as Certified Trade/Investment Mission): Provides a group of U.S. companies or economic development organizations with a market briefing, networking reception, Gold Key Service VerDate Sep<11>2014 17:06 May 31, 2018 Jkt 244001 and/or other services in-country as part of a mission organized by a private sector entity. These missions are different from Department of Commerce Executive-led Missions, which are organized by Industry and Analysis/ Trade Promotion Programs. 3. Conference (not previously listed): Provides export/investment knowledge and/or market intelligence at a conference. 4. Contact List (previously listed as a Verified Contact List): Provides U.S. companies with a basic contact list of up to five to 10 agents, distributors and partners in a foreign market. The 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. 5. Customized Market Research (not previously listed): Provides U.S. companies with answers to questions specific to the client’s products/services in a market; including market structure, trends and size, customary distribution and promotion practices and key competitors and agents, distributors, or strategic partners in the market. 6. Facilitated Investment Mission (previously listed as Certified Trade/ Investment Mission): Provides a group of U.S. economic development organizations with a market briefing, networking reception and matchmaking services in-country. 7. 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 website. The service entails listing their goods/services overseas on a trusted U.S. government website with a brief description and contact information. 8. Foreign Buyer Delegation (not previously listed): Support provided to foreign buyer delegates to assist them in identifying and connecting with U.S. exporters at trade shows/events and on trade missions. Typically, this support is covered by the fees paid by trade show/ event/mission organizers and/or U.S. company participants. However, in some circumstances fees need to be charged to the foreign buyer delegates to cover the costs incurred by ITA. 9. Gold Key Service: Provides U.S. companies with matchmaking appointments with up to five interested partners in a foreign market. The full service includes identification and outreach to potential matching firms, sending client’s information to identified matching firms, preparing a profile of interested firms, attending the appointments and providing a report PO 00000 Frm 00008 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 with the profile and contact information for interested firms. 10. Initial Market Check: Provides U.S. firms with an initial assessment of the market potential of their product or service in a targeted market. The service gauges the potential of a specific product or service in a market by gathering feedback from up to five industry participants and provides written recommendations on whether to pursue the target market. The service does not guarantee interest by the contacted industry participants. 11. International Company Profile— Full Report: Provides U.S. companies and economic development organizations with a comprehensive background report on a specific foreign company, including: general business information, background and product information, key officials, references contacted by ITA, financial data/ creditworthiness information, reputational information, a site visit and interviews with principals; information sources consulted in preparing the report; and analysis of information collected. 12. International Company Profile— Partial Report: Provides U.S. companies and economic development organizations with a general background report on a specific foreign company based on publicly available information; including general business information, background and product information, key officials, financial data/ creditworthiness information (only when publicly available) and reputational information; information sources used in preparing the report; and brief analysis of information collected. 13. International Partner Search: Provides U.S. companies with a list of up to five partners/distributors that have expressed an interest in the client’s goods/services. The service includes 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. 14. International Partner Search Plus Virtual Introductions: Provides the same as the International Partner Search service listed above, but also includes virtual introductions via conference calls with up to five of the contacts identified. Additional fees apply if more than 5 introductions are arranged with the identified partners. 15. Official Letter (not previously listed): A letter provided by ITA to help U.S. companies comply with local regulatory requirements that must be E:\FR\FM\01JNN1.SGM 01JNN1 25433 Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 106 / Friday, June 1, 2018 / Notices followed to conduct business in certain foreign countries (i.e. Colombia, Philippines, and Thailand). The letters can address reciprocity, appropriateness of documents and other issues specific to a foreign market. 16. Other Services/Events (previously listed as Other Customized Services/ Events): Includes all other services/ events not listed. 17. Seminar (not previously listed): Provides U.S. companies and economic development organizations with export/ investment knowledge and/or market intelligence from ITA and public/private sector experts via an in-person seminar. 18. 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. 19. Trade Event (not previously listed): Provides services to U.S. companies to connect them with foreign buyers and partners at trade events in order to help U.S. companies navigate the increasingly complex international marketplace. Services may also be provided to foreign companies attending these trade events to connect them with U.S. companies exporting goods and services. The services and fees for these trade events are separate from the International Buyer Program and Trade Fair Certification, which are administered by the ITA Industry and Analysis unit. 20. Trade Show Representation: Provides U.S. companies and economic development organizations with the ability to increase their marketing exposure at an overseas trade show when they are unable to attend inperson. The service entails conducting pre-trade show promotions via internet/ social media/email campaign, representing the client at the overseas trade show, displaying the client’s promotional materials at the overseas trade show, and conducting outreach to foreign buyers/distributors in attendance at the trade show. 21. Virtual Fair (not previously listed): Provides a group of U.S. entities with an opportunity to promote their products/ services to potential partners in a foreign market live via a webinar platform. 22. Virtual Introduction (not previously listed): Provides U.S. companies with a virtual introduction via conference call or email to a foreign buyer/partner that they have preidentified. The U.S. exporter independently identifies the foreign company and contact information and requests an introduction. The U.S. Government is not allowed to and does not endorse or vouch for specific U.S. companies or their products or services. 23. 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 often archived on export.gov. 24. Website Globalization: Provides U.S. companies with services to enhance the strength of their website for attracting foreign partners/business. Revisions to the User Fee Schedule The fees for the export and investment promotion services/events listed in the revised User Fee Schedule below were set based on the same methodology as described in the Federal Register Notice published on July 10, 2017 (82 FR 31752). The revisions to the User Fee Schedule are italicized for emphasis. REVISED USER FEE SCHEDULE FOR EXPORT PROMOTION SERVICES/EVENTS Fee for commercial service staff time 1 (Does not include other direct costs, when applicable, such as transportation, use of contractors, venue rental, promotional materials, catering, etc.) Service/event U.S. small company 2 Business Service Provider Conference ........................ daltland on DSKBBV9HB2PROD with NOTICES Contact List ....................... Customized Market Research. Certified Trade Mission 5 ... U.S. medium company 3 U.S. large company $150 .................................. +$50 per language for translation if needed. +$30 for additional category listing. Annual renewal: $75 ......... $30 per staff hour ............. + any direct costs ............. $150 .................................. $30 per staff hour ............. $250 .................................. +$50 per language for translation if needed. +$50 for additional category listing. Annual renewal: $125 ....... $70 per staff hour ............. + any direct costs ............. $350 .................................. $70 per staff hour ............. $350 .................................. +$50 per language for translation if needed. +$70 for additional category listing. Annual renewal: $175 ....... $90 per staff hour ............. + any direct costs ............. $450 .................................. $90 per staff hour ............. $350. +$50 per language for translation if needed. +$70 for additional category listing. Annual renewal: $175. $90 per staff hour. + any direct costs. N/A. N/A. $30 per staff hour ............. + $950 per participant if a Gold Key Service is included. + any direct costs ............. $70 per staff hour ............. + $2,300 per participant if a Gold Key Service is included. + any direct costs ............. $90 per staff hour ............. + $3,400 per participant if a Gold Key Service is included. + any direct costs ............. N/A. 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. Please note that any transportation for ITA staff beyond 80 kilometers or more than 2 hours from an ITA office will be charged an additional user fee to cover the cost. 2 Must qualify as a ‘‘small business’’ under the Small Business Administration’s size standards, which vary by North American Industry VerDate Sep<11>2014 17:06 May 31, 2018 Jkt 244001 Classification System (NAICS) Code: https:// www.sba.gov/document/support-table-sizestandards. Fees listed also apply to U.S. Economic Development Organizations (EDO) and Non-profit Educational Institutions that purchase ITA services for their own use. For example, when an EDO requests a Gold Key Service (GKS) to promote itself as a tourist destination, it will be charged the small company fee. If, however, an EDO requests a (GKS) to promote a U.S. company’s goods/services, the size of the company will be used to determine the fee. PO 00000 Frm 00009 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 All foreign companies 4 3 Must have less than $1B in annual revenue (including affiliates: Parent, child, subsidiaries, divisions, etc.) to qualify. 4 Fees listed apply to all Foreign Companies regardless of their size. 5 Full package includes a market briefing, networking event/reception, and Gold Key Service. 6 Fee to be charged for services/events provided to foreign buyer delegates seeking U.S. suppliers of goods/services. E:\FR\FM\01JNN1.SGM 01JNN1 25434 Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 106 / Friday, June 1, 2018 / Notices REVISED USER FEE SCHEDULE FOR EXPORT PROMOTION SERVICES/EVENTS—Continued Fee for commercial service staff time 1 (Does not include other direct costs, when applicable, such as transportation, use of contractors, venue rental, promotional materials, catering, etc.) Service/event U.S. small company 2 Featured U.S. Exporter listing. Foreign Buyer Delegation Gold Key Service .............. (matchmaking appointments). Initial Market Check ........... International Company Profile Full. International Company Profile Partial. International Partner Search. International Partner Search Plus Virtual Introductions. Official Letter ..................... Other Services/Events ....... Seminar ............................. Single Company Promotion daltland on DSKBBV9HB2PROD with NOTICES Trade Event ....................... Trade Show Representation. Virtual Introduction ............ Virtual Fair ......................... Webinar ............................. Website Globalization ........ VerDate Sep<11>2014 U.S. medium company 3 U.S. large company $150 .................................. ($30 per market) ............... + $50 per language for translation if needed. Annual renewal: $75 ......... ($15 per market) ............... N/A .................................... $350 .................................. ($70 per market) ............... + $50 per language for translation if needed. Annual renewal: $175 ....... ($35 per market) ............... N/A .................................... $500 .................................. ($100 per market) ............. + $50 per language for translation if needed. Annual renewal: $250 ....... ($50 per market) ............... N/A .................................... Identify, Arrange & Attend: $950. Identify, Arrange & Attend: $2,300. Identify, Arrange & Attend: $3,400. + $350 for > than 5 appointments or if > than 8 hours is required to attend. Identify & Arrange Appointments: $800. Arrange & Attend Appointments: $125 per appointment. Arrange Appointments: $75 per appointment. + any direct costs ............. $350 .................................. $700 .................................. + $1,000 for > than 5 appointments or if > than 8 hours is required to attend. Identify & Arrange Appointments: $1,850. Arrange & Attend Appointments: $280 per appointment. Arrange Appointments: $175 per appointment. + any direct costs ............. $900 .................................. $1,200 ............................... + $1,200 for > than 5 appointments or if > than 8 hours is required to attend. Identify & Arrange Appointments: $2,400. Arrange & Attend Appointments: $360 per appointment. Arrange Appointments: $225 per appointment. + any direct costs ............. $1,300 ............................... $2,000 ............................... N/A. N/A. $150 .................................. $350 .................................. $450 .................................. N/A. $750 .................................. $1,750 ............................... $2,250 ............................... N/A. $900 .................................. $2,100 ............................... $2,700 ............................... N/A. + $30 per introduction beyond 5. Colombia Official Letter: $100. Philippines Letter on Reciprocity: $100. Philippines Letter on Appropriateness: $150. Thailand: Letter for Treaty of Amity, Defense, Equipment and Medical Device: Standard: $100 ................. Overnight: $125 ................ Same Day: $150 ............... Other Letters Specific to a Market: $30 per hour. $30 per staff hour ............. + any direct costs ............. $30 per staff hour ............. + any direct costs ............. $30 per staff hour ............. + any direct costs ............. $30 per staff hour ............. + any direct costs ............. $400 .................................. + $70 per introduction beyond 5. Colombia Official Letter: $200. Philippines Letter on Reciprocity: $250. Philippines Letter on Appropriateness: $350. Thailand: Letter for Treaty of Amity, Defense, Equipment and Medical Device: Standard: $200 ................. Overnight: $250 ................ Same Day: $275 ............... Other Letters Specific to a Market: $70 per hour. $70 per staff hour ............. + any direct costs ............. $70 per staff hour ............. + any direct costs ............. $70 per staff hour ............. + any direct costs ............. $70 per staff hour ............. + any direct costs ............. $950 .................................. + $90 per introduction beyond 5. Colombia Official Letter: $300. Philippines Letter on Reciprocity: $350. Philippines Letter on Appropriateness: $450. Thailand: Letter for Treaty of Amity, Defense, Equipment and Medical Device: Standard: $300 ................. Overnight: $375 ................ Same Day: $400 ............... Other Letters Specific to a Market: $90 per hour. $90 per staff hour ............. + any direct costs ............. $90 per staff hour ............. + any direct costs ............. $90 per staff hour ............. + any direct costs ............. $90 per staff hour ............. + any direct costs ............. $1,350 ............................... + any direct costs ............. $30 per introduction .......... $30 per staff hour ............. + any direct costs ............. $25 per webinar hour ........ $100 .................................. + any direct costs ............. $70 per introduction .......... $70 per staff hour ............. + any direct costs ............. $25 per webinar hour ........ $300 .................................. + any direct costs ............. $90 per introduction .......... $90 per staff hour ............. + any direct costs ............. $25 per webinar hour ........ $400 .................................. 17:06 May 31, 2018 Jkt 244001 PO 00000 Frm 00010 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 E:\FR\FM\01JNN1.SGM 01JNN1 All foreign companies 4 N/A. $90 per staff hour 6 + any direct costs. N/A. $90 per staff hour. + any direct costs. $90 per staff hour. + any direct costs. N/A. $90 per staff hour. + any direct costs. N/A. N/A. N/A. $25 per webinar hour. N/A. Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 106 / Friday, June 1, 2018 / Notices Notes: REVISED USER FEE SCHEDULE FOR IN• All Events: All ITA staff time VESTMENT PROMOTION SERVICES/ required to support an event is to be EVENTS Service Facilitated Investment Mission 8. International Company Profile—Full. International Company Profile—Partial. Other Services/Events. Seminar .......... Single Location Promotion. Trade Event ... Fee for commercial service staff time for U.S. economic development organizations 7 (Does not include other direct costs, when applicable, such as transportation, use of contractors, venue rental, promotional materials, catering, etc.) Full package: $1,200 per stop; or $30 per staff hour if not Full Package. + any direct costs. $700. $150. $30 per staff hour. + any direct costs. $30 per staff hour. + any direct costs. $30 per staff hour. + any direct costs. $30 per staff hour. + any direct costs. assessed a user fee at the hourly rates listed. When the size and number of the participants for an event is unknown, the estimated number of participants by company size will be used to apply the approved hourly rates. • All Services: When requested by one entity on behalf of another entity(s), a user fee for ITA staff time will be assessed based on the company size of the end client(s)/ultimate beneficiary(ies) and not based on the size of the requesting entity. • All Standardized Fee Services/ Events: When ITA uses an alternative service provider/contractor (ASP) to complete some or all of the standardized tasks included in the statement of work for a standardized fee service/event, if the cost billed to ITA by the ASP plus the cost for any ITA staff time and other direct costs incurred is more than the ITA standardized fees, then an additional fee must be collected to recover the difference. However, if the cost billed to ITA by the ASP plus the cost for any ITA staff time and other direct costs incurred required to perform the service is less than the ITA standardized fees, then no additional fee will be collected. • Fee Reductions for Follow-on Services: The table below lists the standardized fees to be charged if the follow-on service is provided after the initial service. The fee has been reduced for the follow-on service because the level of effort required is reduced by performing the initial service. However, if an Alternative Service Provider (ASP) is used to deliver the follow-on service, the cost billed to GM by the ASP and all other direct costs, must be fully recovered from the client in the form of additional fees. Payment for the followon service must be received within the deadline specified in the table below to be eligible for the reduced fee listed. Deadline to purchase follow-on service Initial service Follow-on service and reduced fee Initial Market Check .................. International Partner Search: $550 for a Small Company; $1,300 for a Medium Company; and $1,650 for a Large Company. International Partner Search Plus Virtual Introductions: $700 for a Small Company; $1,650 for a Medium Company; and $2,100 for a Large Company. Gold Key Service: $750 for a Small Company; $1,850 for a Medium Company; and $2,800 for a Large Company. International Partner Search Plus Virtual Introductions: $150 for a Small Company; $350 for a Medium Company; and $450 for a Large Company. Gold Key Service = $625 for a Small Company; $1,400 for a Medium Company; and $1,800 for a Large Company. International Company Profile—Full: $550 for a Small Company; $850 for a Medium Company; and $1,550 for a Large Company. International Partner Search ..... daltland on DSKBBV9HB2PROD with NOTICES International Company Profile— Partial. • Business Service Provider: Individual category fee. To be listed in more than one category, there is an additional fee per category of $30 for small companies, $50 for medium companies and $70 for large companies. The annual renewal fee is $75 for small companies, $125 for medium companies and $175 for large companies. • Certified Trade Mission: The fee is assessed per Post/city. Applicants will be charged a fee for an Initial Market Check if staff is uncertain about their market potential. The fee paid by the 7 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 VerDate Sep<11>2014 19:01 May 31, 2018 Jkt 244001 25435 180 days. 60 days. 30 days. applicant is then 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. An individual market listing can be provided for $30 for small companies, $50 for medium companies, and $70 for large companies. The annual renewal fee for 5 listings is $75 for small companies, $175 for medium companies, and $250 for large companies. An individual market listing can be renewed for $15 for small companies, $25 for medium companies, and $35 for large companies. Fee for translation is per language and will be charged for the initial listing and for adjustments requested. • Initial Market Check: Is a required precursor for more time intensive services if staff is uncertain about a client’s market potential. Fees paid for the Initial Market Check will then be applied to one follow-on service if the results are positive. • Webinars: Will be provided at a standard fee of $25 per participant per costs include translation, transportation, use of contractors, venue rental, catering, etc. 8 Full package includes a market briefing, networking event/reception, and matchmaking. PO 00000 Frm 00011 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 E:\FR\FM\01JNN1.SGM 01JNN1 25436 Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 106 / Friday, June 1, 2018 / Notices webinar hour. No charge for webinar participation will be assessed by ITA when the purpose is to promote/recruit for an ITA or other USG agency hosted event or when serving only as a guest speaker for a webinar organized by a third party. Conclusion reassess this fee schedule after its first year of implementation and, in accordance with OMB Circular A–25, at least every two years thereafter. Dated: May 29, 2018. Aditi Palli, Program Analyst, Global Markets, International Trade Administration. [FR Doc. 2018–11812 Filed 5–31–18; 8:45 am] Based on the information provided above, ITA believes its revised fee schedules are more consistent with the mission to promote ‘‘exports of goods and services from the United States, particularly by small businesses and medium businesses,’’ and better achieve 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.’’ ITA will BILLING CODE 3510–FP–P DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE International Trade Administration Antidumping or Countervailing Duty Order, Finding, or Suspended Investigation; Advance Notification of Sunset Review Enforcement and Compliance, International Trade Administration, Department of Commerce. AGENCY: Background Every five years, pursuant to the Tariff Act of 1930, as amended (the Act), the Department of Commerce (Commerce) and the International Trade Commission automatically initiate and conduct a review to determine whether revocation of a countervailing or antidumping duty order or termination of an investigation suspended under section 704 or 734 of the Act would be likely to lead to continuation or recurrence of dumping or a countervailable subsidy (as the case may be) and of material injury (i.e., a Sunset Review). Upcoming Sunset Reviews for July 2018 Pursuant to section 751(c) of the Act, the following Sunset Review is scheduled for initiation in July 2018 and will appear in that month’s Notice of Initiation of Five-Year (Sunset) Review. Department contact Antidumping Duty Proceedings No Sunset Review of antidumping duty orders is scheduled for initiation in July 2018. Countervailing Duty Proceedings No Sunset Review of countervailing duty orders is scheduled for initiation in July 2018. daltland on DSKBBV9HB2PROD with NOTICES Suspended Investigations Lemon Juice from Argentina (A–822–804) (4th Review) ............................................................................. Commerce’s procedures for the conduct of Sunset Reviews are set forth in 19 CFR 351.218. The Notice of Initiation of Five-Year (Sunset) Review provides further information regarding what is required of all parties to participate in a Sunset Review. Pursuant to 19 CFR 351.103(c), Commerce will maintain and make available a service list for these proceedings. To facilitate the timely preparation of the service list(s), it is requested that those seeking recognition as interested parties to a proceeding contact Commerce in writing within 10 days of the publication of the Notice of Initiation. Please note that if Commerce receives a Notice of Intent to Participate from a member of the domestic industry within 15 days of the date of initiation, the review will continue. Thereafter, any interested party wishing to participate in the Sunset Review must provide substantive comments in response to the notice of initiation no later than 30 days after the date of initiation. This notice is not required by statute but is published as a service to the international trading community. VerDate Sep<11>2014 17:06 May 31, 2018 Jkt 244001 Dated: May 16, 2018. James Maeder, Associate Deputy Assistant Secretary for Antidumping and Countervailing Duty Operations performing the duties of Deputy Assistant Secretary for Antidumping and Countervailing Duty Operations. [FR Doc. 2018–11813 Filed 5–31–18; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3510–DS–P DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE International Trade Administration Initiation of Five-Year (Sunset) Reviews Enforcement and Compliance, International Trade Administration, Department of Commerce. SUMMARY: In accordance with the Tariff Act of 1930, as amended (the Act), the Department of Commerce (Commerce) is automatically initiating the five-year reviews (Sunset Reviews) of the antidumping and countervailing duty (AD/CVD) order(s) listed below. The International Trade Commission (the Commission) is publishing concurrently with this notice its notice of Institution of Five-Year Reviews which covers the same order(s). DATES: Applicable (June 1, 2018). AGENCY: PO 00000 Frm 00012 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 Matthew Renkey, (202) 482–2312. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Commerce official identified in the Initiation of Review section below at AD/CVD Operations, Enforcement and Compliance, International Trade Administration, U.S. Department of Commerce, 1401 Constitution Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20230. For information from the Commission contact Mary Messer, Office of Investigations, U.S. International Trade Commission at (202) 205–3193. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Background Commerce’s procedures for the conduct of Sunset Reviews are set forth in its Procedures for Conducting FiveYear (Sunset) Reviews of Antidumping and Countervailing Duty Orders, 63 FR 13516 (March 20, 1998) and 70 FR 62061 (October 28, 2005). Guidance on methodological or analytical issues relevant to Commerce’s conduct of Sunset Reviews is set forth in Antidumping Proceedings: Calculation of the Weighted-Average Dumping Margin and Assessment Rate in Certain Antidumping Duty Proceedings; Final Modification, 77 FR 8101 (February 14, 2012). E:\FR\FM\01JNN1.SGM 01JNN1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 83, Number 106 (Friday, June 1, 2018)]
[Notices]
[Pages 25431-25436]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2018-11812]


-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

International Trade Administration

[Docket No. 180507461-8461-01]
RIN 0625-XC039


Revisions and Clarifications to User Fees for Export and 
Investment Promotion Services/Events

AGENCY: International Trade Administration, Department of Commerce.

ACTION: Notice of revised user fees.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: The International Trade Administration (ITA) recently 
implemented new user fees for its export and investment promotion 
services/events in light of an independent cost study, which concluded 
that ITA was not fully covering its costs for providing services under 
the prior fee structure. Federal agencies are directed by Office of 
Management and Budget (OMB) Circular A-25 to ensure they recoup their 
costs when providing certain services. ITA is announcing revisions to 
its export and investment promotion User Fee Schedule, published on 
July 10, 2017.

DATES: This user fee schedule will be effective on July 1, 2018.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. Joe Carter, International Trade 
Administration, Global Markets, Office of Strategic Planning, 1400 
Constitution Avenue NW, Rm. 21022, Washington, DC 20230, Phone: (202) 
482-2484.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Background

    Section 6 of OMB Circular A-25 directs agencies to asses a user fee 
``when a service (or privilege) provides special benefits to an 
identifiable recipient beyond those that accrue to the general 
public.'' 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 should 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.
    ITA offers export and investment promotion services/events to U.S. 
businesses that consist of Standardized Fee Services/Events and Non-
Standardized Fee Services/Events. For each of these services/events, 
fees are collected according to the User Fee Schedule that is made 
available on the https://2016.export.gov/csuserfees/ website and agency 
publications. The ``Standardized Fee Services/Events'' listed in the 
User Fee Schedule are services/events that are performed in the same 
general manner by all field units. Other ``Non-Standardized Fee 
Services/Events'' entail substantive variation of the scope of work 
with fees based on the estimated level of effort required and all 
direct costs incurred. ITA is revising the user fees and offerings for 
both Standardized Fee Services/Events and Non-Standardized Fee 
Services/Events based on questions and concerns raised by ITA clients 
and partners since the current fee schedule was published on July 10, 
2017 (82 FR 31752) that announced updates to the ITA user fee schedule 
for export and investment promotion services/events. The revised User 
Fee Schedule below lists the fee for each Standardized and Non-
Standardized Fee export and investment promotion service/event. Fees 
listed in the revised User Fee Schedule are for ITA staff time only and 
do not include other direct costs (i.e., transportation, venue rental, 
catering/food, etc.), which will incur an additional user fee to cover 
the full cost.

Summary of Revisions

    The following services/events, which were previously considered 
``Other Customized Services/Events,'' have been added to the User Fee 
Schedule to provide more clarity about ITA service/event offerings 
(please see the descriptions of these services/events in the section 
below):
 Conference: Non-Standardized Fee
 Customized Market Research: Non-Standardized Fee
 Foreign Buyer Delegation: Non-Standardized Fee
 Official Letter: Standardized Fee
 Seminar: Non-Standardized Fee
 Seminar (Investment Promotion): Non-Standardized Fee
 Trade Event: Non-Standardized Fee
 Trade Event (Investment Promotion): Non-Standardized Fee
 Virtual Fair: Non-Standardized Fee
 Virtual Introduction: Standardized Fee

    The following services/events have been renamed:

 Certified Trade Mission: previously listed as ``Certified 
Trade/Investment Mission''
 Contact List: previously listed as ``Verified Contact List''
 Facilitated Investment Mission: previously listed as 
``Certified Trade/Investment Mission''
 Other Services/Events: previously listed as ``Other Customized 
Services/Events''

    The following services/events have been removed:

 Investment Promotion--Gold Key Service: this fee was 
inadvertently listed

    In addition, the following clarifications have been made to the 
fees previously listed in GM's User Fee Schedule:
     Certified Trade Mission: Converted to a Non-Standardized 
Fee Service/Event, except for any Gold Key Service or Initial Market 
Check provided to participants, given substantial variations in the 
scope of activities performed that

[[Page 25432]]

were raised to ITA attention by clients and partners.
     Facilitated Investment Mission: When the full package 
service is not requested, converted to a Non-Standardized Fee Service/
Event given substantial variations in the scope of activities often 
performed that were raised to ITA attention by clients and partners.
     Featured U.S. Exporters: Additional Standardized Fee 
options have been included to account for standardized variations of 
the activities performed for this service.
     Gold Key Service: Additional Standardized Fee options have 
been included to account for standardized variations of the activities 
performed for this service.
     International Company Profile--Partial: Revised the 
standardized fees based on revisions to the scope of work for this 
service and updated information collected on the level of effort 
required to perform it.
     International Partner Search: Fee corrected to the 
appropriate level of effort due to a calculation error.
     International Partner Search Plus Virtual Introductions: 
Fee corrected to the appropriate level of effort due to a calculation 
error; additional Standardized Fee options have been included to 
account for standardized variations of the activities performed for 
this service.
     Single Company/Location Promotion: Converted to a Non-
Standardized Fee Service/Event given substantial variations in 
activities performed that were raised to ITA attention by clients, 
partners and staff.
     Foreign Companies: A column has been added to the User Fee 
schedule denoting the fees that will be charged to all foreign 
companies regardless of their size to provide assistance connecting 
them to U.S. exporters.

Description of the Services/Events Listed in the Revised User Fee 
Schedule

    The services/events included in the revised User Fee Schedule are 
described below with the revisions italicized for emphasis.
    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 ITA websites.
    2. Certified Trade Mission (previously listed as Certified Trade/
Investment Mission): Provides a group of U.S. companies or economic 
development organizations with a market briefing, networking reception, 
Gold Key Service and/or other services in-country as part of a mission 
organized by a private sector entity. These missions are different from 
Department of Commerce Executive-led Missions, which are organized by 
Industry and Analysis/Trade Promotion Programs.
    3. Conference (not previously listed): Provides export/investment 
knowledge and/or market intelligence at a conference.
    4. Contact List (previously listed as a Verified Contact List): 
Provides U.S. companies with a basic contact list of up to five to 10 
agents, distributors and partners in a foreign market. The 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.
    5. Customized Market Research (not previously listed): Provides 
U.S. companies with answers to questions specific to the client's 
products/services in a market; including market structure, trends and 
size, customary distribution and promotion practices and key 
competitors and agents, distributors, or strategic partners in the 
market.
    6. Facilitated Investment Mission (previously listed as Certified 
Trade/Investment Mission): Provides a group of U.S. economic 
development organizations with a market briefing, networking reception 
and matchmaking services in-country.
    7. 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 website. The service entails listing their goods/services 
overseas on a trusted U.S. government website with a brief description 
and contact information.
    8. Foreign Buyer Delegation (not previously listed): Support 
provided to foreign buyer delegates to assist them in identifying and 
connecting with U.S. exporters at trade shows/events and on trade 
missions. Typically, this support is covered by the fees paid by trade 
show/event/mission organizers and/or U.S. company participants. 
However, in some circumstances fees need to be charged to the foreign 
buyer delegates to cover the costs incurred by ITA.
    9. Gold Key Service: Provides U.S. companies with matchmaking 
appointments with up to five interested partners in a foreign market. 
The full service includes identification and outreach to potential 
matching firms, sending client's information to identified matching 
firms, preparing a profile of interested firms, attending the 
appointments and providing a report with the profile and contact 
information for interested firms.
    10. Initial Market Check: Provides U.S. firms with an initial 
assessment of the market potential of their product or service in a 
targeted market. The service gauges the potential of a specific product 
or service in a market by gathering feedback from up to five industry 
participants and provides written recommendations on whether to pursue 
the target market. The service does not guarantee interest by the 
contacted industry participants.
    11. International Company Profile--Full Report: Provides U.S. 
companies and economic development organizations with a comprehensive 
background report on a specific foreign company, including: general 
business information, background and product information, key 
officials, references contacted by ITA, financial data/creditworthiness 
information, reputational information, a site visit and interviews with 
principals; information sources consulted in preparing the report; and 
analysis of information collected.
    12. International Company Profile--Partial Report: Provides U.S. 
companies and economic development organizations with a general 
background report on a specific foreign company based on publicly 
available information; including general business information, 
background and product information, key officials, financial data/
creditworthiness information (only when publicly available) and 
reputational information; information sources used in preparing the 
report; and brief analysis of information collected.
    13. International Partner Search: Provides U.S. companies with a 
list of up to five partners/distributors that have expressed an 
interest in the client's goods/services. The service includes 
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.
    14. International Partner Search Plus Virtual Introductions: 
Provides the same as the International Partner Search service listed 
above, but also includes virtual introductions via conference calls 
with up to five of the contacts identified. Additional fees apply if 
more than 5 introductions are arranged with the identified partners.
    15. Official Letter (not previously listed): A letter provided by 
ITA to help U.S. companies comply with local regulatory requirements 
that must be

[[Page 25433]]

followed to conduct business in certain foreign countries (i.e. 
Colombia, Philippines, and Thailand). The letters can address 
reciprocity, appropriateness of documents and other issues specific to 
a foreign market.
    16. Other Services/Events (previously listed as Other Customized 
Services/Events): Includes all other services/events not listed.
    17. Seminar (not previously listed): Provides U.S. companies and 
economic development organizations with export/investment knowledge 
and/or market intelligence from ITA and public/private sector experts 
via an in-person seminar.
    18. 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.
    19. Trade Event (not previously listed): Provides services to U.S. 
companies to connect them with foreign buyers and partners at trade 
events in order to help U.S. companies navigate the increasingly 
complex international marketplace. Services may also be provided to 
foreign companies attending these trade events to connect them with 
U.S. companies exporting goods and services. The services and fees for 
these trade events are separate from the International Buyer Program 
and Trade Fair Certification, which are administered by the ITA 
Industry and Analysis unit.
    20. Trade Show Representation: Provides U.S. companies and economic 
development organizations with the ability to increase their marketing 
exposure at an overseas trade show when they are unable to attend in-
person. The service entails conducting pre-trade show promotions via 
internet/social media/email campaign, representing the client at the 
overseas trade show, displaying the client's promotional materials at 
the overseas trade show, and conducting outreach to foreign buyers/
distributors in attendance at the trade show.
    21. Virtual Fair (not previously listed): Provides a group of U.S. 
entities with an opportunity to promote their products/services to 
potential partners in a foreign market live via a webinar platform.
    22. Virtual Introduction (not previously listed): Provides U.S. 
companies with a virtual introduction via conference call or email to a 
foreign buyer/partner that they have pre-identified. The U.S. exporter 
independently identifies the foreign company and contact information 
and requests an introduction. The U.S. Government is not allowed to and 
does not endorse or vouch for specific U.S. companies or their products 
or services.
    23. 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 often archived on export.gov.
    24. Website Globalization: Provides U.S. companies with services to 
enhance the strength of their website for attracting foreign partners/
business.

Revisions to the User Fee Schedule

    The fees for the export and investment promotion services/events 
listed in the revised User Fee Schedule below were set based on the 
same methodology as described in the Federal Register Notice published 
on July 10, 2017 (82 FR 31752). The revisions to the User Fee Schedule 
are italicized for emphasis.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \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. Please note that any transportation for ITA staff 
beyond 80 kilometers or more than 2 hours from an ITA office will be 
charged an additional user fee to cover the cost.
    \2\ Must qualify as a ``small business'' under the Small 
Business Administration's size standards, which vary by North 
American Industry Classification System (NAICS) Code: https://www.sba.gov/document/support-table-size-standards. Fees listed also 
apply to U.S. Economic Development Organizations (EDO) and Non-
profit Educational Institutions that purchase ITA services for their 
own use. For example, when an EDO requests a Gold Key Service (GKS) 
to promote itself as a tourist destination, it will be charged the 
small company fee. If, however, an EDO requests a (GKS) to promote a 
U.S. company's goods/services, the size of the company will be used 
to determine the fee.
    \3\ Must have less than $1B in annual revenue (including 
affiliates: Parent, child, subsidiaries, divisions, etc.) to 
qualify.
    \4\ Fees listed apply to all Foreign Companies regardless of 
their size.
    \5\ Full package includes a market briefing, networking event/
reception, and Gold Key Service.
    \6\ Fee to be charged for services/events provided to foreign 
buyer delegates seeking U.S. suppliers of goods/services.

                         Revised User Fee Schedule for Export Promotion Services/Events
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                     Fee for commercial service staff time \1\  (Does not include other direct
                                     costs, when applicable, such as transportation, use of contractors, venue
                                                  rental, promotional materials, catering, etc.)
          Service/event          -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                  U.S. small company      U.S. medium                             All foreign
                                          \2\             company \3\     U.S. large company     companies \4\
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Business Service Provider.......  $150..............  $250..............  $350..............  $350.
                                  +$50 per language   +$50 per language   +$50 per language   +$50 per language
                                   for translation     for translation     for translation     for translation
                                   if needed.          if needed.          if needed.          if needed.
                                  +$30 for            +$50 for            +$70 for            +$70 for
                                   additional          additional          additional          additional
                                   category listing.   category listing.   category listing.   category listing.
                                  Annual renewal:     Annual renewal:     Annual renewal:     Annual renewal:
                                   $75.                $125.               $175.               $175.
Conference......................  $30 per staff hour  $70 per staff hour  $90 per staff hour  $90 per staff
                                                                                               hour.
                                  + any direct costs  + any direct costs  + any direct costs  + any direct
                                                                                               costs.
Contact List....................  $150..............  $350..............  $450..............  N/A.
Customized Market Research......  $30 per staff hour  $70 per staff hour  $90 per staff hour  N/A.
Certified Trade Mission \5\.....  $30 per staff hour  $70 per staff hour  $90 per staff hour  N/A.
                                  + $950 per          + $2,300 per        + $3,400 per        ..................
                                   participant if a    participant if a    participant if a
                                   Gold Key Service    Gold Key Service    Gold Key Service
                                   is included.        is included.        is included.
                                  + any direct costs  + any direct costs  + any direct costs  ..................

[[Page 25434]]

 
Featured U.S. Exporter listing..  $150..............  $350..............  $500..............  N/A.
                                  ($30 per market)..  ($70 per market)..  ($100 per market).
                                  + $50 per language  + $50 per language  + $50 per language  ..................
                                   for translation     for translation     for translation
                                   if needed.          if needed.          if needed.
                                  Annual renewal:     Annual renewal:     Annual renewal:     ..................
                                   $75.                $175.               $250.
                                  ($15 per market)..  ($35 per market)..  ($50 per market)..
Foreign Buyer Delegation........  N/A...............  N/A...............  N/A...............  $90 per staff hour
                                                                                               \6\
                                                                                              + any direct
                                                                                               costs.
Gold Key Service................  Identify, Arrange   Identify, Arrange   Identify, Arrange   N/A.
(matchmaking appointments)......   & Attend: $950.     & Attend: $2,300.   & Attend: $3,400.
                                  + $350 for  than 5          thn-eq> than 5      thn-eq> than 5
                                   appointments or     appointments or     appointments or
                                   if       if       if 
                                   than 8 hours is     than 8 hours is     than 8 hours is
                                   required to         required to         required to
                                   attend.             attend.             attend.
                                  Identify & Arrange  Identify & Arrange  Identify & Arrange  ..................
                                   Appointments:       Appointments:       Appointments:
                                   $800.               $1,850.             $2,400.
                                  Arrange & Attend    Arrange & Attend    Arrange & Attend    ..................
                                   Appointments:       Appointments:       Appointments:
                                   $125 per            $280 per            $360 per
                                   appointment.        appointment.        appointment.
                                  Arrange             Arrange             Arrange             ..................
                                   Appointments: $75   Appointments:       Appointments:
                                   per appointment.    $175 per            $225 per
                                                       appointment.        appointment.
                                  + any direct costs  + any direct costs  + any direct costs  ..................
Initial Market Check............  $350..............  $900..............  $1,300............  N/A.
International Company Profile     $700..............  $1,200............  $2,000............  N/A.
 Full.
International Company Profile     $150..............  $350..............  $450..............  N/A.
 Partial.
International Partner Search....  $750..............  $1,750............  $2,250............  N/A.
International Partner Search      $900..............  $2,100............  $2,700............  N/A.
 Plus Virtual Introductions.
                                  + $30 per           + $70 per           + $90 per           ..................
                                   introduction        introduction        introduction
                                   beyond 5.           beyond 5.           beyond 5.
Official Letter.................  Colombia Official   Colombia Official   Colombia Official   ..................
                                   Letter: $100.       Letter: $200.       Letter: $300.
                                  Philippines Letter  Philippines Letter  Philippines Letter  ..................
                                   on Reciprocity:     on Reciprocity:     on Reciprocity:
                                   $100.               $250.               $350.
                                  Philippines Letter  Philippines Letter  Philippines Letter  ..................
                                   on                  on                  on
                                   Appropriateness:    Appropriateness:    Appropriateness:
                                   $150.               $350.               $450.
                                  Thailand: Letter    Thailand: Letter    Thailand: Letter    ..................
                                   for Treaty of       for Treaty of       for Treaty of
                                   Amity, Defense,     Amity, Defense,     Amity, Defense,
                                   Equipment and       Equipment and       Equipment and
                                   Medical Device:     Medical Device:     Medical Device:
                                  Standard: $100....  Standard: $200....  Standard: $300....
                                  Overnight: $125...  Overnight: $250...  Overnight: $375...
                                  Same Day: $150....  Same Day: $275....  Same Day: $400....
                                  Other Letters       Other Letters       Other Letters       ..................
                                   Specific to a       Specific to a       Specific to a
                                   Market: $30 per     Market: $70 per     Market: $90 per
                                   hour.               hour.               hour.
Other Services/Events...........  $30 per staff hour  $70 per staff hour  $90 per staff hour  $90 per staff
                                                                                               hour.
                                  + any direct costs  + any direct costs  + any direct costs  + any direct
                                                                                               costs.
Seminar.........................  $30 per staff hour  $70 per staff hour  $90 per staff hour  $90 per staff
                                                                                               hour.
                                  + any direct costs  + any direct costs  + any direct costs  + any direct
                                                                                               costs.
Single Company Promotion........  $30 per staff hour  $70 per staff hour  $90 per staff hour  N/A.
                                  + any direct costs  + any direct costs  + any direct costs  ..................
Trade Event.....................  $30 per staff hour  $70 per staff hour  $90 per staff hour  $90 per staff
                                                                                               hour.
                                  + any direct costs  + any direct costs  + any direct costs  + any direct
                                                                                               costs.
Trade Show Representation.......  $400..............  $950..............  $1,350............  N/A.
                                  + any direct costs  + any direct costs  + any direct costs  ..................
Virtual Introduction............  $30 per             $70 per             $90 per             N/A.
                                   introduction.       introduction.       introduction.
Virtual Fair....................  $30 per staff hour  $70 per staff hour  $90 per staff hour  N/A.
                                  + any direct costs  + any direct costs  + any direct costs  ..................
Webinar.........................  $25 per webinar     $25 per webinar     $25 per webinar     $25 per webinar
                                   hour.               hour.               hour.               hour.
Website Globalization...........  $100..............  $300..............  $400..............  N/A.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------


[[Page 25435]]


   Revised User Fee Schedule for Investment Promotion Services/Events
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                            Fee for commercial service
                                           staff time for U.S. economic
                                          development organizations \7\
                                          (Does not include other direct
                Service                  costs, when applicable, such as
                                              transportation, use of
                                            contractors, venue rental,
                                              promotional materials,
                                                 catering, etc.)
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Facilitated Investment Mission \8\.....  Full package: $1,200 per stop;
                                          or
                                         $30 per staff hour if not Full
                                          Package.
                                         + any direct costs.
International Company Profile--Full....  $700.
International Company Profile--Partial.  $150.
Other Services/Events..................  $30 per staff hour.
                                         + any direct costs.
Seminar................................  $30 per staff hour.
                                         + any direct costs.
Single Location Promotion..............  $30 per staff hour.
                                         + any direct costs.
Trade Event............................  $30 per staff hour.
                                         + any direct costs.
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Notes:
     All Events: All ITA staff time required to support an 
event is to be assessed a user fee at the hourly rates listed. When the 
size and number of the participants for an event is unknown, the 
estimated number of participants by company size will be used to apply 
the approved hourly rates.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \7\ 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.
    \8\ Full package includes a market briefing, networking event/
reception, and matchmaking.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

     All Services: When requested by one entity on behalf of 
another entity(s), a user fee for ITA staff time will be assessed based 
on the company size of the end client(s)/ultimate beneficiary(ies) and 
not based on the size of the requesting entity.
     All Standardized Fee Services/Events: When ITA uses an 
alternative service provider/contractor (ASP) to complete some or all 
of the standardized tasks included in the statement of work for a 
standardized fee service/event, if the cost billed to ITA by the ASP 
plus the cost for any ITA staff time and other direct costs incurred is 
more than the ITA standardized fees, then an additional fee must be 
collected to recover the difference. However, if the cost billed to ITA 
by the ASP plus the cost for any ITA staff time and other direct costs 
incurred required to perform the service is less than the ITA 
standardized fees, then no additional fee will be collected.
     Fee Reductions for Follow-on Services: The table below 
lists the standardized fees to be charged if the follow-on service is 
provided after the initial service. The fee has been reduced for the 
follow-on service because the level of effort required is reduced by 
performing the initial service. However, if an Alternative Service 
Provider (ASP) is used to deliver the follow-on service, the cost 
billed to GM by the ASP and all other direct costs, must be fully 
recovered from the client in the form of additional fees. Payment for 
the follow-on service must be received within the deadline specified in 
the table below to be eligible for the reduced fee listed.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                         Deadline to purchase
             Initial service                   Follow-on service and reduced fee           follow-on service
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Initial Market Check....................  International Partner Search: $550 for a    180 days.
                                           Small Company; $1,300 for a Medium
                                           Company; and $1,650 for a Large Company.
                                          International Partner Search Plus Virtual   ..........................
                                           Introductions: $700 for a Small Company;
                                           $1,650 for a Medium Company; and $2,100
                                           for a Large Company.
                                          Gold Key Service: $750 for a Small          ..........................
                                           Company; $1,850 for a Medium Company; and
                                           $2,800 for a Large Company.
International Partner Search............  International Partner Search Plus Virtual   60 days.
                                           Introductions: $150 for a Small Company;
                                           $350 for a Medium Company; and $450 for a
                                           Large Company.
                                          Gold Key Service = $625 for a Small         ..........................
                                           Company; $1,400 for a Medium Company; and
                                           $1,800 for a Large Company.
International Company Profile--Partial..  International Company Profile--Full: $550   30 days.
                                           for a Small Company; $850 for a Medium
                                           Company; and $1,550 for a Large Company.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

     Business Service Provider: Individual category fee. To be 
listed in more than one category, there is an additional fee per 
category of $30 for small companies, $50 for medium companies and $70 
for large companies. The annual renewal fee is $75 for small companies, 
$125 for medium companies and $175 for large companies.
     Certified Trade Mission: The fee is assessed per Post/
city. Applicants will be charged a fee for an Initial Market Check if 
staff is uncertain about their market potential. The fee paid by the 
applicant is then 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. An individual market listing can be provided for 
$30 for small companies, $50 for medium companies, and $70 for large 
companies. The annual renewal fee for 5 listings is $75 for small 
companies, $175 for medium companies, and $250 for large companies. An 
individual market listing can be renewed for $15 for small companies, 
$25 for medium companies, and $35 for large companies. Fee for 
translation is per language and will be charged for the initial listing 
and for adjustments requested.
     Initial Market Check: Is a required precursor for more 
time intensive services if staff is uncertain about a client's market 
potential. Fees paid for the Initial Market Check will then be applied 
to one follow-on service if the results are positive.
     Webinars: Will be provided at a standard fee of $25 per 
participant per

[[Page 25436]]

webinar hour. No charge for webinar participation will be assessed by 
ITA when the purpose is to promote/recruit for an ITA or other USG 
agency hosted event or when serving only as a guest speaker for a 
webinar organized by a third party.

Conclusion

    Based on the information provided above, ITA believes its revised 
fee schedules are more consistent with the mission to promote ``exports 
of goods and services from the United States, particularly by small 
businesses and medium businesses,'' and better achieve 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.'' ITA will reassess this fee 
schedule after its first year of implementation and, in accordance with 
OMB Circular A-25, at least every two years thereafter.

    Dated: May 29, 2018.
Aditi Palli,
Program Analyst, Global Markets, International Trade Administration.
[FR Doc. 2018-11812 Filed 5-31-18; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 3510-FP-P
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