Office of International Commerce & U.S. Commercial Service Export Promotion Financial Award Assistance Program December 2017 Rachel Adams, International Trade Officer, OIC
Financial Assistance Award Program 2017 Funded through the STEP grant award with the U.S. Small Business Administration 1:1 matching funds program Up to $6,000 in reimbursements for eligible expenses $151,495 allocated for the program Competitively scored and ranked by 3-member review panel **NEW to the STEP Grant - two year grant period. Activities must occur between October 1, 2017 - September 29, 2019. Limited funds are available. All companies are required to submit quarterly progress reports for the entire two year period.** Our Partners
Qualification To Be Eligible Meet the U.S. Small Business Administration s (SBA) definition of Small and Medium-Sized Enterprise (SME). This SBA-funded program defines a SME as an entity that: o o o o o Complies with SBA size standards found at https://www.sba.gov/content/smallbusiness-size-standards and referenced at 13 C.F.R. Part 121; Has been in business for not less than the 1-year period ending on the date on which assistance is provided under the Program; Is operating profitably, based on its operations in the US; Has demonstrated understanding of the costs associated with exporting and doing business with foreign purchasers, including the costs of freight forwarding, customs brokers, packing and shipping; and, Has a strategic plan for exporting in effect. 51% U.S.-content requirement. Funding allowance is limited to one (1) per qualified business per grant award.
Qualifying Activities The grant program is designed to provide flexibility and encourage innovative use of funds to meet the specific international needs of the New Hampshire exporter. Qualifying Activities Overseas trade mission participation (cannot be used in conjunction with a STEP-funded trade mission) Overseas trade show participation (cannot be used in conjunction with a STEP-funded trade show) Domestic trade show participation (International Buyer Program Trade Shows [IBP] only) Foreign market sales trip Subscription to US Department of Commerce (USDOC) services Independent exporting and international marketing consultant assistance Export and/or compliance training workshops for two employees Product certification that impacts the ability to sell internationally (e.g., CE MARK, CSA, ISO, REACH, CITRA, etc.) International marketing media design (brochure, website, etc.) Website, brochure, product labeling translation and customization for international markets Any other export promotion related activities, subject to approval
NOTE Eligible Expenses Qualifying Expense Categories Are Restricted to the Following: Airfare* Economy classes only, limited to one (1) person per company In the event two employees are needed for the activity, applicants will be required to prove the economic impact of supporting two airfares Hotel ** Accommodations only limited to one (1) person per company. In the event two employees are needed for the activities, applications will be required to prove the economic impact of supporting two hotel rooms. Ground transportation related directly with international travel Translation / Interpreter Fee Trade Mission / Trade Show fees, including but not limited to: registration fee, booth fee, equipment rental, utilities and shipments Subscription to USDOC services (e.g., Gold Key, ICP, Business Facilitation, Single Product Promotion, etc.) Independent consultant assistance (e.g., CE MARK, CSA, ISO, REACH, CITRA, etc.) Fees associated with export training, certification and consulting Product registration / certification costs International advertisements (e.g., international printed publications, websites, social media) Website internationalization (e.g., translation, SEO) not to exceed $3,000 Fees for shipping sample products, not to exceed $2,000 (updated cap) Fees for compliance testing an existing product for entry into export market, not to exceed $2,000 (updated cap) Any other export promotion related expenses, subject to review *If applying for reimbursement of airfare under the Program, company must comply with the federal government s Airline Open Skies Agreements (aka Fly America Act) provisions. Please read through the provisions to fully understand the requirements found at: http://www.gsa.gov/portal/content/103191 **If applying for reimbursement of hotel accommodations, a company can only submit invoices that contain only room rates, taxes and/or hotel fees. No amenities can be reflected on an invoice. This includes, but not limited to, food and beverage, internet, spa services, movies, fitness services or tourist activities.
Ineligible Expenses Expense categories ineligible for reimbursement include, but are not limited to: Activities that occur outside of grant period of October 1, 2017 - September 29, 2019 (two federal fiscal calendar years) Airfare for classes other than Economy class Hotel amenities, including but not limited to, food and beverage, internet, spa services, movies, fitness activities or tourist activities Expenses for more than one company employee per grant activity Compensation, wages or salary of any employee of the grant recipient Alcoholic beverages Meals and incidentals Lodging and hotel amenities Phone and Internet usage Phone Cards Capital goods, product samples, giveaways and supplies NEW! Overseas promotional advertising Any other ineligible expenses, subject to review Only itemized receipts with eligible expenses will be reimbursed.
Submitting Your Application All grant applications must be submitted to the Office of International Commerce via Granite State District Export Council website (www.nhexportassistance.com) by 3:00 p.m. EST, Friday, February 9, 2018 No more than one (1) application per company. No less than $1,000.00 in reimbursable expenses per application. Financial assistance shall not exceed $6,000.00 per company as part of the export promotion program of the State of NH s STEP grant. All successful applicants must provide quarterly progress reports from October 1, 2017 September 29, 2019 (depending on the activity). Note that once a company s activity has concluded and the award money has been issued, progress reports are still required to be submitted through September 29, 2019. All successful applicants must provide information regarding export successes, whether through joint ventures, actual sales, contract agreements, partnering with distributors/agents. Upload one document with all attachments (.PDF or.doc). **Reminder: The STEP Grant is now a two-year grant. As a result, all successful grant activities reimbursements must be submitted within the next two Federal Fiscal Calendar Years, which takes place October 1, 2017 - September 29, 2019. Limited funds are available.
Attachment A Non-technical description of your company Proposed trade activity Support to company s overall export growth Expected results Economic impact Budget
Attachments B & C All applications must include a signed Letter of Commitment All applications must include a signed Media Release Form
Attachments D & E All applications must include a signed SBA Eligible Small Business Concern form All applications must include a signed SBA Form 1624, Certification Regarding Debarment
Reimbursements Reimbursements will be based on completion of activity/training and will required all itemized receipts be compiled in one submission. No partial packages will be accepted for reimbursement. Attachment F will be provided with Notice of Award. All reimbursements must be listed in the Reimbursement Form (Attachment F). No reimbursements will be issued without attachment F. Submit receipts and Attachment F online at www.nhexportassistance.com All receipts that are not in English need to be translated. Please provide a translation with your receipt and currency conversion.
Review Process All applications for funding will be evaluated by the Grant Program Review Team using the following criteria: o Company Description (5 points) o Project Description (35 points) o Economic Impact (50 points) o Project Budget (10 points) Only eligible applications that receive a score of 70 or higher will be approved for an award, subject to availability of funds (100 total points possible). Notifications to applicants will be communicated the week of February 19, 2018.
OIC Export Promotion Programs: Export Expansion Fund (EEF) The EEF provides funding for companies to take advantage of many products aimed at helping to grow business overseas Helps companies: Identify market partners Promote and brand their product Obtain market research Vet sales inquires Attend Trade shows
Contacts Rachel Adams, International Trade Officer Office of International Commerce Division of Economic Development New Hampshire Department of Resources and Economic Development 172 Pembroke Road Concord NH 03301 P:+1-603-271-8444 F:+1-603-271-6784 E: rachel.adams@livefree.nh.gov Tina Kasim, Program Manager Office of International Commerce Division of Economic Development New Hampshire Department of Resources and Economic Development 172 Pembroke Road Concord NH 03301 P:+1-603-271-8444 F:+1-603-271-6784 E: tina.kasim@livefree.nh.gov Justin Oslowski, Director U.S. Department of Commerce U.S. Commercial Service 80 Daniel Street, Room 104 Portsmouth, NH 03801 Tel: +1-603-610-2416 (direct) Fax: +1-603-610-2418 Email: Justin.Oslowski@trade.gov