The Bureau of Industry and Security is seeking public comments on an information collection for the agency’s surveys and assessments of U.S. industrial sectors and technologies. The survey data provides "needed information to benchmark industry performance and raise awareness of diminishing manufacturing capabilities,” BIS said. Comments are due June 3.
The State Department recently approved up to $1 billion in combined emergency military assistance to Ukraine, it said in Federal Register notices released March 30. The first notice approves $800 million and the second notice approves $200 million of defense equipment, services and aid. The department approved the emergency assistance, part of a DOD “drawdown” package, because the aid could not have been met under the authority of the Arms Export Control Act or “any other provision of law.”
The State Department approved a potential $368.53 million sale of military equipment to the U.K., the Defense Security Cooperation Agency said March 29. The sale includes follow-on support for a “Tomahawk Weapon System” and related equipment. The prime contractor will be Raytheon Missiles and Defense.
The Federal Maritime Commission is seeking public comments on an information collection related to non-vessel-operating common carrier service arrangements (NSAs), which can help the FMC adjudicate shipping disputes. Comments are due April 29.
The USDA is recruiting U.S. exporters to join the agency on a June trade mission to the U.K. The trip, one of four upcoming international trade missions hosted by the agency, could be especially beneficial for exporters of nuts, fruit, seafood, ethanol and wood pellets, USDA said, because of the U.K.’s growing demand for U.S. consumer-oriented food and beverages. The deadline to apply for the June 22-24 trip is April 8. The USDA recently resumed in-person trade missions nearly two years after they were paused at the start of the COVID-19 pandemic (see 2202180010).
The State Department’s Directorate of Defense Trade Controls released its notifications to Congress of recently proposed export licenses. The notifications, from October through December, feature arms sales to numerous countries, including Canada, Qatar, the Netherlands and India.
President Joe Biden’s fiscal year 2023 budget proposal, released March 28, includes millions of dollars in additional funding for export control and sanctions work. The proposal includes a $30 million increase in funding for the Bureau of Industry and Security to “implement and enforce export controls.” It also includes an additional $37 million in funding over the previous year's to help the Treasury Department “modernize and update the sanctions process” as outlined in the agency’s 2021 sanctions review (see 2110190044).
The State Department approved a potential $175.98 million sale of military equipment to Bahrain, the Defense Security Cooperation Agency said March 24. The sale includes upgrades to Bahrain’s “M270 Multiple Launch Rocket Systems (MLRS)” and related equipment. The principal contractor will be Lockheed Martin.
The Los Angeles and Long Beach ports again postponed by a week a new surcharge meant to incentivize the movement of dwelling containers (see 2110280031), the two ports announced March 25. The ports had planned to begin imposing the fee in November 2021 but have postponed it each week since. The latest extension delays the effective date until April 1.
U.S. companies that sell defense products or services to foreign countries or entities must report all offsets agreements greater than $5 million to the Bureau of Industry and Security by June 15, the agency said in a notice. Companies also must report information on offsets transactions completed “in performance of existing offsets commitments for which offsets credit” of $250,000 or more “has been claimed from the foreign representative,” the notice said. Commerce is asking for reports of offsets transactions that took place during calendar year 2021.