Notice of Opportunity for Collaboration

DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

International Trade Administration

[Docket No.: 980212034-8034-01]

Notice of Opportunity for Collaboration

AGENCY: International Trade Administration, Commerce.

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: The Office of Export Trading Company Affairs (OETCA),

International Trade Administration, Department of Commerce, is seeking

a private sector partner to produce and distribute both a print and an

electronic directory of U.S. exporters and export intermediaries.

DATES: Proposals should be sent no later than March 6, 1998.

ADDRESSES: Send proposals to Mort Schnabel, Acting Director, Office of

Export Trading Company Affairs, International Trade Administration,

Department of Commerce, Room 1800, Washington, D.C. 20230.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Vanessa Bachman, Office of Export

Trading Company Affairs, International Trade Administration, (202) 482-

5131. This is not a toll-free number.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Title I of the Export Trading Company Act of

1982 (15 U.S.C. 4001-4003) mandates that the Office of Export Trading

Company Affairs (OETCA) provide a referral service to facilitate

contact between producers of exportable goods and services and firms

offering export trade services. In support of this mandate and for

several years, OETCA has produced and distributed, in partnerships with

a private sector firm, a directory listing trade contact information on

U.S. manufacturers, service organizations and export trade

intermediaries under the name ``Export Yellow Pages''

(EYP).

The EYP includes trade contact information on approximately 17,000

U.S. companies, primarily small and medium sized firms, that have

registered their export interests with OETCA's Contact Facilitation

Service (CFS), a computerized database. Registration on the CFS, and

the directory, is free of charge. Display advertising can be purchased

for a fee.

A minimum of 50,000 copies of the EYP have been printed annually.

They have been distributed free of charge, primarily through the U.S.

Department of Commerce's Export Assistance Centers (domestically) and

through U.S. Embassies and Consulates abroad. In 1997, OETCA

implemented a pilot program to make the directory available to the

public on-line via the Internet. The directory is also made available

in electronic form through the U.S. Department of Commerce's National

Trade Databank (NTDB), an electronic clearinghouse that provides

information to the public for a subscription fee.

OETCA is now seeking a new partner to produce and distribute both a

print and an electronic directory of U.S. exporters and export

intermediaries. The private sector partner will be responsible for:

1. Printing a minimum of 50,000 copies of the directory and

delivering them to the sites designated by OETCA;

2. Issuing the first print edition of the directory no later than

December 31,1998 and filling orders throughout

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the year, issuing subsequent editions no later than December 31st on an

annual basis;

3. Establishing, maintaining, and operating, on a continuous basis,

an electronic version of the directory that is available to the public

via the Internet for World Trade Week, usually the third week in May;

4. Inviting U.S. firms to participate in the directory as

registrants, free of cost, or as display advertisers for a

competitively determined fee;

5. Collaborating with OETCA on the design of a revised CFS

registration form to be used in hard-copy and on-line;

6. Ensuring that the directory contains appropriate material only,

particularly ensuring that the directory promotes U.S. exports and not

U.S. companies seeking to import or attract foreign investment; and,

7. Providing OETCA the opportunity to review and comment on the

content of the directory.

A copy of the Export Yellow Pages print directory and

additional information on the responsibilities of the parties may be

obtained through the contact above. The electronic directory can be

accessed via the Internet at http://export.uswest.com.

OETCA is looking for a partner that:

(1) Has a successful track record in publishing, preferably

involving both directory-type publications and Internet-based services,

and the timely distribution of publications both domestically and

internationally;

(2) Has sufficient financial resources to ensure a sustainable

long-term partnership;

(3) Has dedicated managerial and staff resources to ensure the

continued development and improvement of the product and its

distribution;

(4) Will provide strong customer service, to meet the needs of the

advertisers in the directory and the Department of Commerce;

(5) Has demonstrated managerial and technical ability to

continually enhance the quality of both the printed and electronic

versions of the directory, including substantial experience with the

use of interactive media;

(6) Has the ability to develop and support the use of the

electronic version of the directory as a medium for electronic

commerce; and

(7) Has a demonstrated interest in export activities and in

assisting OETCA in fulfilling its mandate to promote exports of U.S.

goods and services.

Interested parties should send a proposal (including a proposed

time line for the issuance of both the print and electronic versions of

the directory), as well as corporate bona fides including financial

data (in audited form if available), to the above address. The proposal

can also be sent by fax at (202) 482-1790.

Notwithstanding any other provision of law, no person is required

to respond nor shall a person be subject to a penalty for failure to

comply with a collection of information subject to the requirements of

the Paperwork Reduction Act unless that collection of information

displays a currently valid OMB Control Number. The information

collection requirements in this notice have been approved by the Office

of Management and Budget under OMB Control No. 0625-0120.

Authority: 15 U.S.C. Sec. 175; 22 U.S.C. Sec. 2455(f); and, 15

U.S.C. Secs. 4001-4003.

Dated: February 13, 1998.

Morton Schnabel,

Acting Director, Office of Export Trading Company Affairs.

[FR Doc. 98-4321 Filed 2-19-98; 8:45 am]

BILLING CODE 3510-DR-P