Specifications include, but are not limited to: Supported by a grant through the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA), the Hawaii State Trade Expansion Program (HiSTEP) is a multifaceted program designed to assist Hawaii small businesses with their export development. In addition to HiSTEP-Company Assistance (HiSTEP-CA), which involves this RFP, companies should familiarize themselves with the other components of HiSTEP since all the components are inextricably linked and reinforce each other. The other components are: • HiSTEP-Export Readiness Program (HiSTEP-ERP), which consists of educational seminars and workshops on all aspects of exporting as well as one-on-one export mentoring. • HiSTEP-Hawaii Pavilions (HiSTEP-HP), whereby DBEDT and partner organizations organize group participation in trade shows around the world. The HiSTEP Company Assistance program (HiSTEP-CA) is designed to increase exports of Hawaii produced goods and services by assisting individual Hawaii companies with export market development activities such as participation in trade shows and missions. Although tailored for Hawaii companies, this program is modeled after successful export market development programs offered by government trade organizations such as those of Canada and Australia. Success metrics for the HiSTEP-CA include, but are not limited to 1) expanded exports and revenue from exports of Hawaii produced goods and services; 2) a larger overall number and a larger percentage of Hawaii-based companies that are active in global markets; and 3) penetration of new markets for Hawaii produced goods and services. In addition to the above metrics, the committee will also consider “return on investment” or “ROI” for each dollar spent on an applicant, how much revenue will be generated in that applicant’s export sales. Hawaii companies submitting application proposals for this program are expected to be export ready. Application proposals will be evaluated, classified, and selected by a committee comprised of representatives from three or more of the following organizations: DBEDT, Hawaii Department of Agriculture, Hawaii Technology Development Corporation/ Innovate Hawaii, Hawaii Pacific Export Council, Export Assistance Center/U.S. Department of Commerce, Foreign Trade Zone, the Hawaii Small Business Development Centers, and the Patsy T. Mink Center for Business & Leadership.
