October 2022 - September 2024 (2-year funding period)
The STEP services provided by the Florida SBDC include funding that will be offered to eligible export clients as a
reimbursement for costs incurred for trade show fees & related travel expenses, product sample shipments, export credit insurance fees, translation services, company promotions/marketing plans, etc. To get started, fill out an electronic request for consultation: https://floridasbdc.org/request-consulting/.
STEP Client Services
Available Services for Eligible Export Clients*:
Travel Reimbursement – Trade Shows & Export Missions
The Florida SBDC will use STEP funding to provide reimbursement of up to $2500 in export/trade show related
travel costs for export clients attending approved trade/export related events. Allowable costs include airfare,
lodging, trade show fees, transportation, & sample shipment fees (not to exceed $2000).
Trade Mission Support - Concierge Services
The trade show concierge service will offer export clients the opportunity to have a FL SBDC International Trade
Business Consultant to accompany them to an eligible exporting/trade event for education/training, assessment,
and support. STEP funding will cover up to $2500 in travel costs for each consultant to provide concierge services
to eligible export clients.
US Commercial Service Products - Department of Commerce Single Company Promotion
The Florida SBDC will use STEP funding to support FL export clients participating in US Department of Commerce
ITA (International Trade Administration) single company promotion. Eligible export clients will be reimbursed with
up to $3000 in allowable costs. Under this service, US DOC/ITA organizes promotional events to reach US exporting
companies’ preferred audiences and decision makers in international markets.
Translation of Trade Show Materials
The FSBDC will reimburse export clients with up to $750 in allowable costs related to translation services in
conjunction with attendance at trade show events. These services may include translation of digital assets,
websites, printed marketing materials, order forms, product packaging, etc.
Export Credit Insurance (EXIM or private)
Reimbursement for application fees and export credit insurance coverage up to $2000 per client.
Export Marketing Plans (EMP)
Customized Export Marketing Plan prepared by a certified FSBDC International Trade Consultant; each EMP
includes a thorough readiness assessment, Industry/Market/SWOT analysis, review of trade opportunities, and an
action plan. Export Marketing Plans are valued at $7,500. Operating as a partner of FSBDC, Enterprise Florida, Inc.
subsidizes $4,500 of that cost through the state international trade program, FSBDC utilizes STEP funding to cover
$2,500 of the cost, and the export client would be responsible to pay a $500.00 fee.
*FSBDC Trade Consultants will determine export client eligibility. Maximum total reimbursement cannot exceed $8000 per export client per 2-year funding period ($15,000 for export clients that execute an EMP during the same funding period). Reimbursement amount cannot exceed costs incurred.
STEP Eligibility
Eligibility Requirements:
Federal funding guidelines state that to be eligible to receive monetary reimbursement using FL STEP
funds, FSBDC consultants must verify the following for each export client.
A company/firm meets and adheres to the following criteria:
• Is organized or incorporated in the United States;
• Is operating in the United States;
• Size standard requirements:
o The applicable industry-based small business size standard established under section 3
of the Small Business Act; or
o 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.);
o The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) size standards are found at 13 C.F.R.
Part121 or via the following link: https://www.sba.gov/document/support-table-size-standards
• 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,
• Has access to sufficient resources to bear the costs associated with trade, including the costs of
packing, shipping, freight forwarding, and customs brokers.
In addition, the following Florida-specific criteria will be included:
• Must be listed as an Active Corporation on the Florida Division of Corporations Sunbiz website.
• Must have a Federal Identification Number tied to a Florida address.
• Must have a product/service manufactured, produced, processed or value-added in Florida.
(SBA requires 51% US content)
• Must be either “new to export” or “market expansion”; the event/activity must help them to
enter a new market or segment, where they do not already have significant export sales.
• Prospective export clients must be in business (domestically) for at least 2 years in order to be
eligible for EMP - Export Marketing Plan services, as per funding agreement with Enterprise FL.
Proof of Payment & Completion of Eligible Service/Activity will be required prior to any reimbursement
For travel reimbursement:
• Any costs incurred that would be considered "Local travel" are not reimbursable.
• Airfare fees must be consistent with "Fly America Act" Guidelines.
• Lodging rates cannot exceed GSA/State Dept per diem rates.
*Maximum reimbursable amounts for Trade Show Sample shipments $2000 & Virtual Trade show registration fees $500. Clients will not be reimbursed for any cost that has received or is pending financial support from Enterprise Florida, Inc.
**Concierge service travel costs are paid directly to the Consultant’s assigned SBDC and are not reimbursable to client
FSBDC Trade Consultants will determine export client eligibility. New clients will be required to complete an Export Marketing Plan prior to receiving approval for additional STEP services. Maximum total reimbursement cannot exceed $8000 per export client per 2-year funding period or $15,000 for export clients that execute an EMP during the same funding period. Reimbursement amount cannot exceed actual costs incurred.
Funded [in part] through a Cooperative Agreement with the U.S. Small Business Administration.
