The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) has awarded the Oklahoma Department of Commerce with State Trade Expansion Program (STEP) grant funding to assist eligible small businesses with export development. The objective of this program is to increase the overall number of small business exporters and increase their export sales by helping businesses diversify by entering international markets.
- Oklahoma STEP Application
Companies can apply for funds for one or more of these services. Events each have their own application deadlines. Companies must meet certain eligibility requirements in order to secure funding for trade shows. Grants are funded through a reimbursement process.
Read important information and download and complete required documents and SAM registration before starting your application.
Eligibility Requirements
To be eligible, an applicant must meet the following requirements:
- Is organized or incorporated in the United States
- Is operating in the United States
- Own an Oklahoma based business which has been in business for not less than 1 year, as of the date on which assistance is provided
- Be a For-Profit Business
- Meet the SBA definition of a small business (SBA size standards 13 C.F.R. Part 121.)
- Be an export ready U.S. company
- Have export products/services that contain a majority of U.S. content (51 percent or higher)
- Be in good standing with Oklahoma state agencies including the Secretary of State and Oklahoma Tax Commission.
- Be able to bear the costs associated with trade, including the costs of packing, shipping, freight forwarding, and customs brokers.
Use of Funds + Grant Requirements
Eligible Oklahoma businesses may apply to receive reimbursements for up to 85 percent of pre-approved, allowable, export-related expenses up to the maximum amount. Each activity has their own maximum allowable costs. For designated export trade shows, matching grant reimbursement for booth space, booth build, and exhibitor passes, are capped at two people per company per show. The maximum allowable for reimbursement varies for each show.
Evaluation + Reporting
Companies receiving grants agree to provide the State with confidential information to document the successes achieved with the help of this grant through quarterly reports requesting information such as: number of leads received, business under negotiation and/or sales achieved and Oklahoma jobs created or retained as a result of the trade activities for which funding was granted. The State of Oklahoma is required by the SBA, as a condition of its funding for this program, to provide feedback on all activity in the form of progress reports collected quarterly from all STEP awardees through the end of the grant cycle period. Recipients of SBA grants acknowledge that their cooperation in this regard is a contingency of such funding.
Funded Services
The Oklahoma STEP grant is a matching grant reimbursing a percentage of allowable expenses:
- International or Domestic trade shows (with a minimum of 20% international attendees) (allowable expenses include booth, booth build, registration for up to 2 attendees)
- Commerce led foreign trade missions
- Participation in export training workshops
- E-commerce translation, and website optimization services
The program will offer assistance of up to $24,000 per company under the STEP 11 grant for approved activities that take place between October 1, 2023 – September 29, 2024.
Export Training and Assessment Services
- Export Compliance Training Webinars
- Oklahoma Manufacturing Alliance Business Assessment
Website Translation Services
Ecommerce, Website Optimization & Translation Services – up to two languages/countries.
Trade Missions
Meet with representatives in targeted international markets to build your business abroad by participating in Oklahoma Commerce led trade missions. In addition, take part in a Virtual Foreign Trade Mission to UK & Ireland in partnership with ExportExplore.
Trade Shows
MRO Americas
April 27-29, 2021
Orlando, FL
MRO is the premier U.S. event for the air maintenance, repair and overhaul industry, offering an extensive conference agenda where business leads are generated.
AUVSI - Rescheduled, Now Hybrid Event
May 4-6, 2021
Online
August 16-19, 2021
Atlanta, GA
AUVSI XPONENTIAL is the global stage for everything unmanned – from state-of-the-art propulsion technology, sensors, energy storage and UAS mitigation solutions to what’s coming over the horizon.
JEC - Now Online
June 1-3, 2021
Online
JEC World is the only trade show that unites the global composite industry where attendees can find a full spectrum of processes, new materials, and composite solutions.
Automotive Testing Expo
June 8-10 2021
Stuttgart, Germany
The event is the world’s largest vehicle and component preproduction as well as in-line and end-of-line assembly testing and validation technology and services exhibition, featuring 480+ exhibitors and attracting over 9,000 attendees.
Promoting your company at trade shows can be an effective way to gain recognition in your industry and to enter into the global market or expand your international trade capabilities. But not every small business is in the position to coordinate trade show logistics or design and operate their own trade booth. The Oklahoma Department of Commerce makes it possible for Oklahoma companies to partner with the state at trade shows across the globe by exhibiting with the state in the Oklahoma pavilion. With the help of the Oklahoma STEP Fund, qualified companies can get reimbursed for 85% of the participation cost. In addition, we have a limited amount of funding available to help you exhibit at additional international or domestic trade shows with preapproval. Contact our office for more information.
Interested in attending a trade show that is not included in the above list?
We have a limited amount of funding available to help you exhibit at additional international or domestic trade shows with preapproval. Contact our office for more information.
- Application Steps + Instructions
The online form asks specific questions about your business and will require you to upload completed forms during the application process. Save time by preparing required information and documents for upload before you start your application.
For assistance, contact Nicole Boyles at nicole.boyles@okcommerce.gov or Kathy Gain at kathy.gain@okcommerce.gov.
- Read and review the Application Preparation section.
- Review the required forms and registrations checklist
- Download and complete required forms and the SAM registration.
- Apply online at the link below.
Oklahoma Supplier Portal Information
Anyone who is a new vendor to the State of Oklahoma must use the Oklahoma Supplier Portal at vendors.ok.gov.
The Oklahoma Supplier Portal is the new online portal designed to assist suppliers, bidders and payees with self-registration and self-management of organization and persona information. Register as a payee if you or your organization are only receiving payments from the state.
Application Preparation
Before you apply, prepare to answer questions about the following:
- Company contact information
- STEP activities you are applying for
- Status as a small business as defined by the SBA.
- Information about the company’s locations, ownership, and organization
- Number of years in business and date of company founding
- Industry classification code
- Company employment and sales numbers
- Details about company exporting activities
- Whether or not the company has applied for a STEP grant in the past
- Whether or not your company has been active for at least one year and in good standing with the Oklahoma Tax Commission (OTC) and Oklahoma Secretary of State (SOS).
Required Forms + Registrations Checklist
Review the STEP requirements for the activities and services you are applying for. Not all forms are required for some applications.
| Requirement | Trade Shows | Trade Missions | Website Services | Training and Assessment |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Oklahoma STEP Application |
|
|
|
|
|
SBA Self-Representation Form |
|
|
|
|
|
SBA Debarment Form |
|
|
|
|
|
Vendor Payee Form |
|
|
|
 |
|
Certificate for Competitive Bid |
|
|
|
|
|
Sole Source Acquisition |
|
|
|
|
|
Certificate of Liability Insurance |
|
|
|
|
|
LLC Disregarded Entity Verification Form |
|
|
|
|
|
System for Award Management (SAM) Registration |
|
|
|
|
Required Forms + System for Award Management (SAMS) Registration
Gather and complete these required documents. You will upload completed copies of these files during the application.
SBA Form 1624: Certification Regarding Debarment, Suspension, Ineligibility and Voluntary Exclusion Lower Tier Covered Transactions
Download Form 1624 from the Small Business Administration (SBA) and complete prior to applying.
Self-representation as an Eligible Small Business Concern
This document states that you are an eligible small business as defined by the Small Business Administration.
OMES Vendor Payee Form
Download Vendor Payee form and complete prior to applying.
Certificate for Competitive Bid and or Contract (Non-Collusion Certification)
This document states that you did not collude with anyone to apply for this grant.
Complete by placing your business name in the Supplier Legal Name at top and then sign.
Terms and Conditions for Sole Source Acquisition
This document states that we did not go out to bid to do business with you.
Complete sections six through 11 and sign the signature page on page six.
Certificate of Liability Insurance
This document is a copy of your certificate of liability insurance provided by your insurance company.
Contact your insurance agent to obtain a copy.
LLC Disregarded Entity Verification Form
This document is to be completed ONLY by those businesses that are registered as an LLC.
System for Award Management (SAM)
All companies that receive federal funds are required to be registered in the federal System for Award Management (SAM).
There is no cost for registration.
- Application
Complete the required forms before you apply online. You will upload copies of completed forms during the online application process.
Events each have their own application deadlines. Companies must meet certain eligibility requirements in order to secure funding for trade shows.
Begin your STEP application online.
Your STEP Grant Experts
STEP Partners
The Oklahoma Department of Commerce works with the Oklahoma Manufacturing Alliance, U.S. Commercial Service – Oklahoma Export Assistance Center, U.S. Small Business Administration, SBA Oklahoma District Office, Oklahoma Department of Agriculture, and Export-Import Bank of the United States to support Oklahoma companies in exporting to new markets to generate wealth and increase employment in the state.
Funded in part through a grant with the U.S. Small Business Administration.
