[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 105 (Monday, June 2, 1997)]
[Notices]
[Pages 29710-29714]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 97-14286]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

International Trade Administration
[Docket No. 970424097-7097-01]
RIN 0625-ZA05


Market Development Cooperator Program

AGENCY: International Trade Administration (ITA), Commerce.

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: ITA promotes U.S. exports and works to improve the global 
competitiveness of the United States, creating jobs for Americans. ITA 
has created the Market Development Cooperator Program (MDCP) to build 
public/private partnerships by matching small amounts of public funds 
with private funds to launch solid, market-opening initiatives designed 
by the private sector. The MDCP aims to:
     Challenge the private sector to think strategically about 
foreign markets;
     Be the catalyst that spurs private sector innovation and 
investment in export marketing; and
     Increase the number of American companies, particularly 
small- and medium-size businesses, taking decisive export actions.
    The advantage of a joint effort is that it permits the Government 
to pool expertise and funds with non-federal sources so that each 
maximizes its market development resources. Partnerships of this sort 
also may provide a sharper focus on long-term export market development 
than do traditional trade promotion activities and serve as a mechanism 
for improving government-industry relations.
    While the Department of Commerce sponsors, guides and partially 
funds the MDCP with a matching requirement by the recipient, the 
Department of Commerce expects applicants to develop, initiate and 
carry out market development project activities. As an active partner, 
ITA will, as appropriate, provide assistance identified by the 
applicant as being essential to the achievement of project goals and 
objectives. U.S. industry is best able to assess its problems and needs 
in the foreign marketplace and to recommend innovative solutions and 
programs that can be the formula to success in international trade.
    Examples of activities that might be included in an applicant's 
project proposal are described below. No one of these activities or any 
combination of these activities must be included for a proposal to 
receive favorable consideration. The Department of Commerce encourages 
applicants to propose activities that (1) Would be most appropriate to 
the market development needs of their industry or industries; and (2) 
display the imagination and innovation of the applicant working in 
partnership with the government to obtain the maximum market 
development impact.
    A public meeting for parties considering applying for funding under 
the MDCP will be held on June 23, 1997. Attendance at this public 
meeting is not required of potential applicants. The purpose of the 
meeting is to provide general information to potential applicants 
regarding MDCP procedures, selection process, and proposal preparation. 
No discussion of specific proposals will occur at this meeting.

DATES: The public meeting will be held June 23, 1997. Completed 
applications must be received no later than 5:00 p.m. Eastern Standard 
Time July 28, 1997. Application kits will be available from the 
Department of Commerce starting June 2, 1997.

ADDRESSES: The public meeting will be held at the Herbert Clark Hoover 
Building, U.S. Department of Commerce, 14th and Constitution Avenue, 
N.W., Washington, D.C. Contact the information contact for room 
location.
    To obtain an application kit, please send a written request with a 
self-addressed mailing label to Mr. Greg O'Connor, Manager, Market 
Development Cooperator Program, Trade Development/OPCRM, Room 3221, 
U.S. Department of Commerce, Washington, D.C. 20230. Application kits 
may also be picked up in Room 3209, U.S. Department of Commerce, 14th 
and Constitution Avenue, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20230. The application 
kit contains all forms necessary to participate in the MDCP application 
process.
    Please send completed applications to the Office of Planning, 
Coordination and Resource Management, Trade Development, Room 3221, 
14th & Constitution Avenue, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20230.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. Greg O'Connor, Manager, Market 
Development Cooperator Program, Trade Development, Room 3209, 
Washington, D.C. 20230, (202) 482-3197.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

    Authority: The Omnibus Trade and Competitiveness Act of 1988, 
Public Law No. 100-418, Title II, sec. 2303, 102 Stat. 1342, 15 
U.S.C. 4723.

    Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance (CFDA): No. 11.112, Market 
Development Cooperator Program.
    Program Description: The goal of the MDCP identified in authorizing 
legislation is to develop, maintain, and expand foreign markets for 
nonagricultural goods and services produced in the United States. For 
purposes of this program, ``nonagricultural goods and services'' means 
goods and services other than agricultural products as defined in 7 
U.S.C. 451. ``Produced in the United States'' means having substantial 
inputs of materials and labor originating in the United States, such 
inputs constituting at least 50 percent of the value of the good or 
service to be exported. The intended beneficiaries of the program are 
U.S. producers of nonagricultural goods or services that seek to export 
such goods or services.
    MDCP funds should not be viewed as a replacement for funding from 
other sources, either public or private. An important aspect of this 
program is to increase the sum of federal and non-federal export market 
development activities. This result can best be achieved by using 
program funds to encourage new initiatives.
    In addition to new initiatives, expansion of the scope of an 
existing project also may qualify for funding consideration. Eligible 
organizations that have previously received an MDCP award must propose 
a new project or expansion of an existing project to receive 
consideration for a new award.
    The Department of Commerce encourages applicants to propose 
activities that would be most appropriate to the market development 
needs of their U.S. industry or industries. The following are examples 
of activities which applicants might include in an application (no one 
of these activities or any combination of these activities must be 
included for an application to receive favorable consideration). Many 
of these activities are being undertaken by current MDCP award winners:
    (1) Opening an overseas office or offices to perform a variety of 
market development services for companies joining a consortium to avail 
themselves of such services; such an office should not duplicate the 
programs or services of the U.S. and Foreign Commercial Service 
(US&FCS) post(s) in the region,

[[Page 29711]]

but could include co-location with a US&FCS Commercial Center;
    (2) Detailing a private sector individual to a US&FCS post in 
accordance with 15 U.S.C. 4723(c);
    (3) Commissioning overseas market research, participating in 
overseas trade exhibitions and trade missions to promote U.S. exports, 
and/or hosting reverse trade missions;
    (4) Overseas U.S. product demonstrations;
    (5) Export seminars in the United States or market penetration 
seminars in the market(s) to be developed;
    (6) Technical trade servicing that helps overseas buyers choose the 
right U.S. goods or services and to use the good or service 
efficiently;
    (7) Joint promotions of U.S. goods or services with foreign 
partners;
    (8) Training of foreign nationals to perform after-sales service or 
to act as distributors for U.S. goods or services;
    (9) Working with organizations in the foreign marketplace 
responsible for setting standards and for product testing to improve 
market access for U.S. goods or services;
    (10) Publishing an export resource guide or an export product 
directory for the U.S. industry or industries in question, if no 
comparable one exists; and
    (11) Establishing an electronic business information system to 
identify trade leads and facilitate matches with foreign partners.
    Funding Availability: The total amount of funds available for this 
program is $1.8 million for fiscal year (FY) 97. The Department expects 
to conclude a minimum of four (4) cooperative agreements with eligible 
entities for this program. No award will exceed $400,000, regardless of 
the duration of the cooperative agreement.
    Matching Requirements: To receive MDCP funding, the applicant must 
contribute at least two dollars for each federal dollar provided. In 
satisfying this matching requirement, the applicant must make one 
dollar of new cash outlays expressly for the project for each federal 
dollar of MDCP funding. The balance of the applicant's support may 
consist of in-kind contributions (goods and services). For example, an 
applicant requesting $200,000 of federal funds must supply, at a 
minimum, $200,000 of new cash outlays expressly for the project. The 
remaining $200,000 of the required match can be made up of additional 
new cash outlays or in-kind contributions.
    Applicants may propose projects for which the applicant's match 
will exceed two applicant dollars to each federal dollar. However, 
private sector matches exceeding program guidelines have consequences 
in the disbursement of funds. A cost share ratio is established for 
each award winner based upon the award winner's share of the total cost 
of the project. Funds are disbursed using this ratio. For example, a 
project for which the applicant will assume 3/4 of the total cost will 
have a cost share ratio of 75 percent applicant/25 percent federal. In 
requesting a disbursement of federal dollars, the award winner will 
have to generate $3 in grant expenditures for each dollar it wants to 
obtain in federal grant monies.
    In the proposed budget, all in-kind contributions to be used in 
meeting the applicant's share of costs should be listed in a separate 
column from cash contributions. A separate budget narrative describing 
these in-kind contributions should also be included with the proposal. 
This information should be in sufficient detail for a determination to 
be made that the requirements of OMB Circular A-110, section 23 (a), 
and 15 CFR Part 24.24 (a) and (b) are met.
    The Department of Commerce will support only a portion of the 
direct costs of each project. Each applicant will support a portion of 
the direct costs (to be specified in the application). Generally, 
direct costs are those that are specifically associated with an award, 
and usually include expenses such as personnel, fringe benefits, 
travel, equipment, supplies and contractual obligations relating 
directly to program activity. Allowable costs will be determined on the 
basis of the applicable cost principles, i.e., OMB Circulars A-21, A-
87, and A-122; 45 CFR Part 74, Appendix E; and 48 CFR Part 31. No 
indirect costs will be paid with Department of Commerce funding under 
this program.
    Applicants may charge companies in the industry or other industry 
organizations reasonable fees to take part in or avail themselves of 
services provided as part of applicants' projects. Applicants should 
describe in detail plans to charge fees. Fees generated under the award 
are program income and must be used for project related purposes during 
the award period.
    Type of Funding Instrument: Since ITA will be substantially 
involved in the implementation of each project for which an award is 
made, the funding instrument for this program will be a cooperative 
agreement. For each award, the recipient and ITA Program Officer shall 
establish a project team to include personnel from ITA. The project 
team will: work jointly with the recipient in carrying out the scope of 
work of the project; specify direction or redirection of the scope of 
work; and determine mode of project operations and other management 
processes, coupled with close monitoring or operational involvement 
during performance of the project.
    Eligibility Criteria: U.S. trade associations, nonprofit industry 
organizations, state trade departments and their regional associations 
including centers for international trade development, and private 
industry firms or groups of firms in cases where no entity described 
above represents that industry are eligible to apply for cooperative 
agreements under this program. For the purpose of this program, a 
``trade association'' is defined as a fee based organization consisting 
of member firms in the same industry, or in related industries, or 
which share common commercial concerns. The purpose of the trade 
association is to further the commercial interests of its members 
through the exchange of information, legislative activities, and the 
like.
    For the purpose of this program, a ``nonprofit industry 
organization'' is an organization that is classified as a non-profit 
organization under Title 26 U.S.C. 501 (c) (6).
    Prospective applicants are strongly encouraged to seek advice on 
their eligibility to enter the MDCP competition, according to the 
criteria above. To obtain advice regarding eligibility, the applicant 
should submit basic organizational documents (e.g. charters, articles 
of incorporation) and information on types of members, membership fees, 
ties to state trade departments or their regional associations, 
organizations's purpose, and activities, and IRS status. All requests 
for advice regarding eligibility should be received no later than July 
7, 1997. Applicants are advised to continue working on proposals while 
awaiting advice on eligibility. Absolutely no extensions of the 
deadline for submitting applications will be granted.
    Eligible U.S. entities may join together to submit an application 
as a joint venture and to share costs. For joint venture applicants, 
one organization meeting the above eligibility criteria must be 
designated as the prospective MDCP grant recipient organization for 
administrative purposes. For example, two trade associations 
representing different segments of a single industry or related 
industries may pool their resources and submit one application. Foreign 
businesses and private groups also may join with eligible U.S. 
organizations to submit applications

[[Page 29712]]

and to share the costs of proposed projects.
    The Department of Commerce will accept applications from eligible 
entities representing any industry, subsector of an industry or related 
industries. Each applicant must permit all companies in the industry in 
question to participate, on equal terms, in all activities that are 
scheduled as part of a proposed project whether or not the company is a 
member or constituent of the eligible organization.
    Eligible entities desiring to participate in this program must 
demonstrate the ability to provide an established competent, 
experienced staff and other resources to assure adequate development, 
supervision and execution of the proposed project activities. 
Applicants must describe in detail all assistance expected from the 
Department of Commerce or other federal agencies to implement project 
activities successfully. Each applicant must provide a description of 
the membership/qualifications, structure and composition of the 
eligible entity, the degree to which the entity represents the industry 
or industries in question, and the role, if any, foreign membership 
plays in the affairs of the eligible entity. Applicants should 
summarize both the recent history of their industry or industries' 
competitiveness in the international marketplace and the export 
promotion history of the eligible entity or entities submitting the 
application.
    Project proposals must be compatible with U.S. trade and commercial 
policy. Additional information delineating U.S. commercial policy may 
be obtained from the executive summary of the 1996 Trade Promotion 
Coordinating Committee's National Export Strategy (available online at 
http://www.ita.doc.gov/tpcc/3execsm.html).
    Award Period: Funds may be expended over the period of time 
required to complete the scope of work, but not to exceed three (3) 
years from the date of the award.
    Indirect Costs: The total dollar amount of the indirect costs 
proposed in an application under this program must not exceed the 
indirect cost rate negotiated and approved by a cognizant federal 
agency prior to the proposed effective date of the award or 100 percent 
of the total proposed direct costs dollar amount in the application, 
whichever is less. Department of Commerce funds can not be used to pay 
indirect costs.
    Application Forms and Kit: Standard Forms 424 (Rev. 4-92) 
Application for Federal Assistance, 424A (Rev. 4-92) Budget 
Information--Non-Construction Programs, 424B (Rev. 4-92) Assurances--
Non-Construction Programs, SF-LLL, Disclosure of Lobbying Activities 
and other Department of Commerce forms (CD-511, Certifications 
Regarding Debarment, Suspension and Other Responsibility Matters; Drug-
Free Workplace Requirements and Lobbying; CD-512, Certifications 
Regarding Debarment, Suspension, Ineligibility and Voluntary Exclusion-
Lower Tier Covered Transactions and Lobbying), which are required as 
part of the application, are available from the contact person 
indicated above. Applicants must submit a signed original and two (2) 
copies of the application and supporting materials.
    Project Funding Priorities: Applications may be targeted for any 
market in the world and/or industry covered by ITA's industry units 
(Technology and Aerospace Industries, Basic Industries, Service 
Industries and Finance, Textiles, Apparel and Consumer Goods 
Industries, Environmental Technologies Exports and Tourism Industries). 
In ITA's view, the following markets offer exceptional opportunities 
for U.S. exports and export-related job creation or support in the 
United States:
    Geographic Markets: The Big Emerging Markets (BEMs) of Mercosur 
(Argentina, Brazil, Uruguay, and Paraguay), Chile, the Association of 
Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN--Brunei, Indonesia, Malaysia, the 
Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam), the Chinese Economic 
Area (Peoples Republic of China, Taiwan and Hong Kong), India, South 
Korea, Mexico, Poland, Russia and the Newly Independent States, South 
Africa, and Turkey. In addition to the BEMs, strong relations with 
mature export markets such as Europe and Japan are encouraged.
    In addition, projects that concentrate on the following priorities 
present opportunities to develop, maintain and expand overseas markets 
and create and support U.S. jobs:
    (1) Advocacy: (a) Assisting U.S. companies/consortia bidding on 
major foreign contracts; (b) Developing a response to foreign anti-
competitive practices, such as bribery and subsidies, that unfairly 
disadvantage U.S. companies in global competitions;
    (2) Trade Agreements Monitoring: Monitoring of foreign compliance 
with our trade agreements such as NAFTA, WTO and sector-specific 
agreements;
    (3) Small Business Support: Facilitating the involvement in 
exporting of small and medium-sized U.S. businesses and traditionally 
disadvantaged or under served groups, especially as suppliers/
subcontractors for major infrastructure projects;
    (4) Public/Private Partnerships: Collaborating with ITA to support 
its market development initiatives.
    Developing a project plan requires solid background research. 
Applicants should study, and applications should reflect such study of, 
the following:
    1. The market potential of the U.S. good(s) or service(s) to be 
promoted in a particular market(s),
    2. The competition from host-country and third-country suppliers, 
and
    3. The economic situation and prospects that bear upon the ability 
of a country to import the U.S. good(s) or service(s).
    In their applications, applicants should present an assessment of 
industry resources that can be brought to bear on developing a market; 
the industry's ability to meet potential market demand expeditiously; 
and the industry's after-sales service capability in a particular 
foreign market(s).
    After describing their completed basic research, applicants should 
develop marketing plans that set forth the overall objectives of the 
projects and the specific activities applicants will undertake as part 
of these projects. Applications should display the imagination and 
innovation of the private sector working in partnership with the 
government to obtain the maximum market development impact.
    Evaluation Criteria: The Department of Commerce is interested in 
projects that demonstrate the possibility of both significant results 
during the project period and lasting benefits extending beyond the 
project period. To that end, consideration for financial assistance 
under the MDCP will be based upon the following evaluation criteria:
    (1) Potential of the project to generate export sales or major 
foreign project/contract success stories in both the short and medium-
term. Applicant should provide estimates of projected project results, 
along with detailed explanations.
    (2) The degree to which the proposal furthers or is compatible with 
ITA's priorities and the markets identified above and the degree to 
which a proposal initiates or enhances partnership with the Department 
of Commerce.
    (3) Creativity and innovation displayed by the work plan while at 
the same time being realistic.
    (4) Reasonableness of the itemized budget for project activities, 
the amount of the cash match that is readily available at the beginning 
of the project, and the probability that the project can

[[Page 29713]]

be continued on a self-sustained basis after the completion of the 
award.
    (5) The institutional capacity of the applicant to carry out the 
work plan and the willingness and ability of the applicant to back up 
promotional activities with aggressive marketing and after-sales 
service.
    (6) Projected increase (multiplier effect) in the number of U.S. 
companies operating in the market(s) selected. Applicant should provide 
quantifiable estimates of projected increases. Intent and capability of 
the applicant to enlist the participation of small- and medium-size 
U.S. companies in consortia and activities that are to be part of the 
proposed project.

Evaluation criteria
    Criterion #1--maximum 20 points
    Criterion #2--maximum 20 points
    Criterion #3--maximum 20 points
    Criterion #4--maximum 20 points
    Criterion #5--maximum 10 points
    Criterion #6--maximum 10 points

    Selection Procedures: Each application will receive an independent, 
objective review by a panel qualified to evaluate the applications 
submitted under the program. The Independent Review Panel, consisting 
of at least three people, will review all applications based on the 
criteria stated above. The Independent Review Panel will identify and 
rank the top ten proposals and make recommendations to the Assistant 
Secretary for Trade Development concerning which of the proposals 
should receive awards. The Assistant Secretary for Trade Development 
will make the final recommendations regarding the funding of 
applications from the group of ten identified by the Independent Review 
Panel.
    In making his decision, the Assistant Secretary for Trade 
Development will consider the following:
    1. The evaluations of the individual reviewers of the Independent 
Review Panel;
    2. The degree to which applications satisfy the MDCP's goals and 
objectives as established under the Project Funding Priorities listed 
above;
    3. The geographic distribution of the proposed awards;
    4. The diversity of industry sectors covered by the proposed grant 
awards;
    5. The diversity of project activities represented by the proposed 
awards;
    6. Avoidance of redundancy and conflicts with the initiatives of 
other federal agencies; and
    7. The availability of funds.

Performance Measures

    On August 3, 1993, the Government Performance and Results Act 
(GPRA) was enacted into law (Public Law 103-62). GPRA requires each 
agency to submit to OMB, no later than September 30, 1997, a strategic 
plan for program activities. Among other things, each strategic plan 
must include ``performance indicators to be used in measuring or 
assessing the relevant outputs, service levels and outcomes of each 
program activity.''
    As part of the preparation of the FY 1996 budget, OMB began working 
with agencies on appropriate measures to assess the performance of 
programs and activities in a GPRA context. While not abandoning outputs 
(units of products, including services, of an activity) as a measure of 
results, OMB directed agencies to focus more on outcomes (the resulting 
effect of the use or application of an output) as the primary indicator 
of the success of programs and activities.
    Beginning with the FY 1998 budget, ITA is reporting results using 
GPRA measures defined for its programs and activities. Many of these 
measures have little relevance to MDCP projects. The following 
performance measures, however, have particular applicability to MDCP 
projects:

Outcome Measures

Dollar Value of Exports Resulting from Outputs
Number of New-to-Export Firms Participating in Activities
Number of New-to-Market Firms Participating in Activities
Degree of Customer Satisfaction (value of outputs determined by 
perception of customer based on their expectation of the output versus 
the plan, an agreed upon specification or other criteria)

Output Measures

Number of Counseling Sessions
Number of Clients Counseled
Number of Reports (Publications) Prepared
Number of Copies of Reports (Publications) Distributed
Number of Trade Events
Number of Firms Participating in Trade Events

    At a minimum, applicants for this year's MDCP competition should 
use these measures, where appropriate, when providing estimates of 
projected project results as called for under Evaluation Criteria #1 
and #6. Applicants are encouraged to develop and utilize additional 
performance measures they find meaningful to demonstrate the success of 
their projects. Winners of MDCP awards will be asked to use these 
performance measures when they provide required quarterly reports to 
ITA. Applicants should consult the MDCP application kit for more 
information, key terms and definitions used in developing performance 
indicators under GPRA.

Other Requirements

    (1) Federal Policies and Procedures--Recipients and subrecipients 
are subject to all federal laws and federal and Department of Commerce 
policies, regulations, and procedures applicable to federal financial 
assistance awards.
    (2) Past Performance--Unsatisfactory performance under prior 
federal awards may result in an application not being considered for 
funding.
    (3) Preaward Activities--If applicants incur any costs prior to an 
award being made, they do so solely at their own risk of not being 
reimbursed by the government. Notwithstanding any verbal or written 
assurance that they may have received, there is no obligation on the 
part of the Department of Commerce to cover preaward costs.
    (4) No Obligation for Future Funding--If an application is selected 
for funding, the Department of Commerce has no obligation to provide 
any additional future funding in connection with that award. Renewal of 
an award to increase funding or extend the period of performance is at 
the total discretion of the Department of Commerce.
    (5) Delinquent Federal Debts--No award of federal funds shall be 
made to an applicant who has an outstanding delinquent federal debt 
until either:
    i. The delinquent account is paid in full,
    ii. A negotiated repayment schedule is established and at least one 
payment is received, or
    iii. Other arrangements satisfactory to the Department of Commerce 
are made.
    6. Name Check Review. All non-profit and for-profit applicants are 
subject to a name check review process. Name checks are intended to 
reveal if any key individuals associated with the applicant have been 
convicted of or are presently facing criminal charges such as fraud, 
theft, perjury, or other matters which significantly reflect on the 
applicant's management honesty or financial integrity.
    7. Primary Applicant Certifications. All primary applicants must 
submit a completed Form CD-511, ``Certifications Regarding Debarment, 
Suspension and Other Responsibility Matters; Drug Free Workplace 
Requirements and Lobbying,'' and the following explanations are hereby 
provided:
    i. Nonprocurement Debarment and Suspension. Prospective 
participants (as defined at 15 CFR part 26, section 105)

[[Page 29714]]

are subject to 15 CFR part 26, ``Nonprocurement Debarment and 
Suspension'' and the related section of the certification form 
prescribed above applies;
    i. Drug-Free Workplace. Grantees (as defined at 15 CFR part 26, 
section 605) are subject to 15 CFR part 26, subpart F, ``Governmentwide 
Requirements for Drug-Free Workplace (Grants)'' and the related section 
of the certification form prescribed above applies;
    iii. Anti-Lobbying. Persons (as defined at 15 CFR part 28, section 
105) are subject to the lobbying provisions of 31 U.S.C. 1352, 
``Limitations on use of appropriated funds to influence certain federal 
contracting and financial transactions,'' and the lobbying section of 
the certification form prescribed above applies to applications/bids 
for grants, cooperative agreements, and contracts for more than 
$100,000, and loans and loan guarantees for more than $150,000, or the 
single family maximum mortgage limit for affected programs, whichever 
is greater; and
    iv. Anti-Lobbying Disclosures. Any applicant that has paid or will 
pay for lobbying using any funds must submit an SF-LLL, ``Disclosure of 
Lobbying Activities,'' as required under 15 CFR part 28, Appendix B.
    8. Lower Tier Certifications. Recipients shall require applicants/
bidders for subgrants, contracts, subcontracts, or other lower tier 
covered transactions at any tier under the award to submit, if 
applicable, a completed Form CD-512, ``Certifications Regarding 
Debarment, Suspension, Ineligibility and Voluntary Exclusion-Lower Tier 
Covered Transactions and Lobbying'' and disclosure form, SF-LLL, 
``Disclosure of Lobbying Activities.'' Form CD-512 is intended for the 
use of recipients and should not be transmitted to the Department of 
Commerce. SF-LLL submitted by any tier recipient or subrecipient should 
be submitted to the Department of Commerce in accordance with the 
instructions contained in the award document.
    9. False Statements. A false statement on an application is grounds 
for denial or termination of funds and grounds for possible punishment 
by a fine or imprisonment as provided in 18 U.S.C. 1001.
    10. Intergovernmental Review--Applications under this program are 
not subject to Executive Order 12372, ``Intergovernmental Review of 
Federal Programs.''
    11. Buy American-Made Equipment and Products--Applicants are hereby 
notified that they will be encouraged, to the greatest extent 
practicable, to purchase American-made equipment and products with 
funding provided under this program.
    Classification: This notice has been determined to be not 
significant for purposes of Executive Order 12866. The standard forms 
referenced in this notice are cleared under OMB Control No. 0348-0043, 
0348-0044, 0348-0040, and 0348-0046 pursuant to the Paperwork Reduction 
Act. 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.

    Dated: May 27, 1997.
Jerome S. Morse,
Director, Resource Management and Planning Staff Trade Development.
[FR Doc. 97-14286 Filed 5-30-97; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-DR-P