SC Export Incentives Program

SOUTH CAROLINA EXPORT INCENTIVES PROGRAM

STEP/SCOPE
The South Carolina Department of Commerce Export Incentives Program is designed to drive economic growth and job creation through export development. Eligible South Carolina small businesses may qualify for financial assistance to offset a portion of the costs associated with pre-approved export-related activities.

Please review the program guidelines before starting the application. This application should take about 15-20 minutes to complete.

If you have any questions, please contact export@sccommerce.com

BUSINESS ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA
- Organized or incorporated in the United States.
- Headquartered in, or operating in South Carolina.
- In business for no less than one year.
- Meets the U.S. SBA' s definition of a small business. SBA Size Standards
- Has a strategic export plan, an understanding of, and access to sufficient resources to bear the costs associated with trade.
- Export-ready with goods/services that are either of U.S. origin or have at least 51% U.S. content (defined below).
Funded (in part) through a Cooperative Agreement with the U.S. Small Business Administration.

BUSINESS INFORMATION
All fields market with * are required and must be filled.
Business Legal Name*
Address*

Street Address

Street Address Line 2

CityState / Province

Postal / Zip Code
Website*
Employer Identification Number*
Primary Contact*

First NameLast Name
Title*
Email*
example@example.com

EXPORT PLAN
Please indicate whether you consider your company to be NTE or ME as defined below.*

New-to-Export (NTE): no or novice export experience.Experienced Exporter/Market Expansion (ME): seeking to expand into new country or expand sales in existing market(s).
Approximate percentage of export sales*

Not exporting1-24%25-49%50-75%>76%
Please briefly describe your company's export goals. *
An export plan must be in place to participate in the South Carolina Export Incentives Program.
Explain how your product is distributed and marketed in the United States, and how you plan to develop entry in new markets (distribution, agents, direct sales, etc.)*
Please list the international market(s) you are targeting and indicate the reasons why you believe you have a competitive advantage in those markets.*

Have you received this type of funding before?*

YesNo
What was the outcome? What were the results of the funded activities?
Are you seeking funding from any other federal or state organization for the same activity?*

YesNo
Please describe the export activity or activities to which you are applying. Explain how these activities play into your strategic export plan. *
Provide as many details as necessary, for instance, name, location, a link to the trade show, the scope of website work, etc. Example: MEDICA Trade Show, Germany or Website Localization, Australia
Export Activity Start Date*

MonthDayYear
Is this activity a domestic trade show?*

YesNo
Please describe the international presence (overseas exhibitors and attendees) at this domestic trade show.
For a domestic trade show to qualify for approval, there must be a minimum of 20% international presence. Please provide information that supports this requirement.
Upon returning from domestic trade show, I agree to provide a list of leads (overseas distributors, export brokers and/or foreign buyers) contacted during the event.

Estimated Costs*

	US Dollars
Trade Show Booth Costs and/or Registration Fees
SCDOC Trade Mission Fees
US Commercial Service Programs/Services Fees
Export Training Workshops or Seminars
International Website Enhancements
Travel: Airfare (subject to Fly America Act rules), Lodging (at GSA or State Department Rates), and Local Transportation.
Other Export Activities

If you select "Other", please specify.
If travel is associated with requested activities, please enter names of traveler(s).
Is the traveler(s) a direct employee of the company?

YesNo
Is any of the travelers an elected official?

YesNoNot Applicable
To receive reimbursement, air travel must adhere to the Fly America Act.

Reimbursements for Lodging are based on federal maximum lodging rates: International and Domestic.

CERTIFICATION OF FEDERAL FORMS
The US Small Business Administration (SBA) would like to give eligible small businesses the opportunity to expand your knowledge and resources of other export programs that are offered by the agency and other federal agencies. Please check the appropriate box if you would like your company’s name and contact information to be shared with other relevant agencies to learn more about federal export programs. Your choice to participate or not will not change the status of your participation with STEP. SBA’s aim is strictly to share information about other opportunities with you.*

YesNo
SELF-REPRESENTATION AS AN "ELIGIBLE SMALL BUSINESS CONCERN"

The undersigned seeks services from a State grant recipient under the Trade Facilitation and Trade Enforcement Act of 2015 (HR 644) which authorized the State Trade Expansion Program (STEP).
Section 503 of the Trade Facilitation and Trade Enforcement Act of 2015 defines the term 'eligible small business concern,’ as a business concern that:

1. Is organized or incorporated in the United States;

2. Is operating in the United States,

3. Meets a. The applicable industry-based small business size standard established under section 3 of the Small Business Act; or
b. The alternate size standard applicable to the program under section 7(a) of the Small Business Act and the loan programs under title V of the Small Business Investment Act of 1958 (15 U.S.C. 695 et seq.); The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) size standards are found at 13 C.F.R. Part 121. Use the following sba.gov link for information on size standards for your business (https://www.sba.gov/federal-contracting/contracting-guide/size-standards)

4. Has been in business for not less than 1 year, as of the date on which assistance using a grant under this subsection commences; and

5. Has access to sufficient resources to bear the costs associated with trade, including the costs of packing, shipping, freight forwarding, and customs brokers.

The undersigned certifies that this is an export ready U.S. company seeking to export goods or services of U.S. origin or have at least 51% U.S. content.
Submitting false information in order to obtain services from a STEP grant recipient is a violation of Federal law. If you submit false information the Government may seek criminal, civil, and/or administrative remedies against you, pursuant to 18 U.S.C. §§ 1001, 1040; and 31 U.S.C. §§ 3729-3733. The Government may elect to exclude you from further participation in certain Federal programs and contracts if you submit false information in connection with receiving services from a STEP grant recipient.

I hereby certify that the business I represent is seeking services from a STEP grant recipient and is an eligible small business concern,* pursuant to the above definition.

All SBA programs and services are extended to the public on a nondiscriminatory basis.
Business Name*
Date*

MonthDayYear
Date
Title*
Signature*

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Certification Regarding
Debarment, Suspension, Ineligibility and Voluntary Exclusion Lower Tier Covered Transactions

This certification is required by the regulations implementing Executive Order 12549, Debarment and Suspension, 13 CFR Part 145. The regulations were published as Part VII of the May 26, 1988 Federal Register (pages 19160-19211). Copies of the regulations may be obtained by contacting the person to which this proposal is submitted.

(BEFORE COMPLETING CERTIFICATION, READ INSTRUCTIONS ON REVERSE)

(1) The prospective lower tier participant certifies, by submission of this proposal, that neither it nor its principals are presently debarred, suspended, proposed for disbarment, declared ineligible, or voluntarily excluded from participation in this transaction by any Federal department or agency.

(2) Where the prospective lower tier participant is unable to certify to any of the statements in this certification, such prospective participant shall attach an explanation to this proposal.

SBA Form 1624 (12/92)
Business Name*
Date*

MonthDayYear
Date
By*
Title of Authorized Representative
Signature*

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Applications are reviewed by an evaluation committee (to determine export potential) on a rolling basis until all funds are expended. Applications should be submitted prior to any activity for which funds are requested. Incomplete applications will be deemed ineligible. Applications will be disqualified if a company has received or is receiving funding from other source for the same activity.

The SCDOC will notify applicants if they are approved for funding, and the maximum dollar amount for which they may be reimbursed. To receive reimbursement, companies must complete all required items – SBA’s Self-representation and Certification Regarding Debarment forms, IRS W-9 “Request for Taxpayer ID and Certification, S.C. vendor number, etc., - execute the proposed event/activity, and submit the completed reimbursement package and post-event survey.

All funds are reimbursed to the company not individuals.
If a business has an outstanding tax lien with the South Carolina Department of Revenue or the Internal Revenue Services, in lieu of reimbursement to the company, payments will be remitted to these entities.

By signing below, the signer certifies that the company meets all the requirements for the South Carolina Export Incentives Program, and that all information provided in this document, and any accompanying documents is true and complete. In addition, he/she agrees to complete reporting requirements including disclosure of export sales and leads generated.
Signature*

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Thank you for your answers!

If you have any questions, please contact export@sccommerce.com
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SOUTH CAROLINA EXPORT INCENTIVES PROGRAM

BUSINESS INFORMATION

ELIGIBILITY QUESTIONNAIRE

EXPORT INCENTIVES PROGRAM APPLICATION

EXPORT PLAN

CERTIFICATION OF FEDERAL FORMS

Thank you for your answers!