U.S. TRADE AND DEVELOPMENT AGENCY

2015 ANNUAL REPORT
MISSION

The U.S. Trade and Development Agency helps companies create U.S. jobs through the export of 

U.S. goods and services for priority development projects in emerging economies. USTDA links U.S. 

businesses to export opportunities by funding project planning activities, pilot projects, and reverse 

trade missions while creating sustainable infrastructure and economic growth in partner countries.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Message from the Director. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1

Impact on Development. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3

Powering Africa. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4

Combatting Climate Change. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6

Promoting Value-Based Procurement. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8

Investing in Growth. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11

Investing in Energy. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12

Investing in Transport. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16

Investing in Telecom. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20

Client Resources. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24

Summary of FY 2015 Program Activities. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25

FY 2015 Program Activities Listed by Region. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25

Financial Information. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29
U.S. TRADE AND DEVELOPMENT AGENCY ANNUAL REPORT 2015 1

A s Director of the U.S. Trade and Development Agency, I have the privilege of meeting 

with many of USTDA’s partners at home and abroad. This year, I heard from our partners 

in Botswana about how the Agency’s Global Procurement Initiative is advancing their 

government’s efforts to achieve greater value from its infrastructure investments. 

I also met with the CEO of India’s Tata Power Delhi Distribution Ltd., who described how U.S. 

smart grid solutions have helped his utility manage demand and improve efficiency. Finally, 

I toured an emergency operations center in Istanbul, where our Turkish partners are relying 

on innovative U.S. technologies to improve their response to natural disasters.

These successes — and the others featured throughout this report — highlight the value of 

USTDA’s program, which leverages U.S. industry expertise to create mutually beneficial, tradeand investment-based partnerships with emerging markets. In doing so, the Agency fulfills 

President Obama’s vision for foreign assistance: “The purpose of development should be to 

build capacity and to help other countries actually to stand on their own feet.... Instead of 

perpetual aid, development has to fuel investment and economic growth so that assistance 

is no longer necessary.”

With our innovative programs and ability to respond swiftly to the needs of our partners in 

emerging economies, USTDA has established itself as the U.S. government’s project preparation 

agency. USTDA sponsors activities, such as feasibility studies, pilot projects and technical 

assistance, at the critical early stages of a project’s development. These activities enable 

the Agency’s partners to make the business case for financial institutions — whether they 

are commercial banks, private equity funds, multilateral institutions or local development 

banks — to lend to their priority infrastructure projects.

USTDA leads this development paradigm by employing the knowledge, expertise and resources 

of U.S. industry, bringing private sector solutions to global development challenges. The Agency’s 

work increases exports of U.S. goods and services which, in turn, support high-paying American 

jobs. USTDA’s export multiplier — $74 in U.S. exports for every dollar programmed — demonstrates 

the extraordinary return on investment the Agency achieves for U.S. taxpayers. 

I wish to thank the entire USTDA staff who, according to the 2015 Federal Employee Viewpoint 

Survey, remain among the most engaged in the federal government. USTDA is fortunate to 

have a knowledgeable, innovative team that works collaboratively and effectively to achieve the 

Agency’s mission. Their tireless work and exemplary commitment enables USTDA to leverage 

our resources to accomplish remarkable results.

Leocadia I. Zak

Director, U.S. Trade and Development Agency

MESSAGE FROM THE DIRECTOR

USTDA DIRECTOR 

LEOCADIA I. ZAK
2 U.S. TRADE AND DEVELOPMENT AGENCY ANNUAL REPORT 2015
U.S. TRADE AND DEVELOPMENT AGENCY ANNUAL REPORT 2015 3

IMPACT ON

DEVELOPMENT

THE U.S. TRADE AND DEVELOPMENT AGENCY

works with its partners, both at home and abroad, 

to support efforts to address development 

challenges and to advance economic growth in 

emerging economies. Efforts like Power Africa, 

a U.S. government-led initiative to increase 

electricity access across sub-Saharan Africa. 

Efforts to combat global climate change by 

developing renewable energy resources and 

curbing greenhouse gas emissions. Efforts to 

ensure that public procurement officials have the 

ability to select high-quality goods and services 

for their infrastructure projects. 

As described in the following pages, these efforts 

have been successful because of the Agency’s 

ability to bring private sector solutions to global 

development challenges. USTDA’s activities 

leverage U.S. industry expertise to create mutually 

beneficial partnerships with high-growth markets 

around the world. This win-win approach creates 

meaningful impact for the Agency’s overseas and 

U.S. partners. 
4 U.S. TRADE AND DEVELOPMENT AGENCY ANNUAL REPORT 2015

POWERING AFRICA

Rwandans Unite to Power Villages

ON THE LAST SATURDAY OF EVERY MONTH, Rwandans 

set aside their daily routines to participate in Umuganda, 

a nation-wide volunteer day. They come together to help 

their neighbors in a variety of different ways: rebuilding 

a home, improving a road or cleaning up a neighborhood. 
U.S. TRADE AND DEVELOPMENT AGENCY ANNUAL REPORT 2015 5

In the rural Musanze District, it is not only villagers who participate in these volunteer activities. 

Representatives from DC HydroPower, a Rwandan energy company and a USTDA partner, also 

join the group for Umuganda. They are committed, on every day of the month, to ensuring that 

the work they do has a positive impact on the community. 

They bring that same commitment to their efforts to develop two run-of-the-river hydroelectric 

stations in the mountainous province, where less than a quarter of the population currently has energy 

access. Together, these stations are expected to generate 3.6 megawatts of new electricity—powering 

an estimated 20,000 homes in two villages. By bringing this power online, the project will stimulate 

the local economy and generate a variety of opportunities for the community.

In fact, it is already doing so. DC HydroPower provided a loan to a local metalworker 

named Sabin Ngirirabatanyurwa, who, according to them, has “a greater entrepreneurial 

spirit at age 64 than most 20 year olds.” Sabin used the loan to acquire the equipment 

he needed to build his own business. Ultimately, he was not only able to pay back the 

loan, he has helped DC HydroPower resolve issues at their project sites. 

While DC Hydropower is committed to working with Sabin and other villagers to ensure 

the sustainability of the project, they are also bringing in U.S. expertise. Under a USTDAsponsored grant agreement, DC HydroPower is working with Ritoch-Powell & Associates 

(RPA), a civil engineering firm headquartered in Phoenix, Arizona, to design the hydroelectric 

stations. RPA believes this project will lead to additional opportunities for them — in fact, several 

other firms have asked them to provide services in East Africa and even beyond the continent. 

This cooperation demonstrates how USTDA’s support can assist U.S. firms while building vital 

infrastructure and promoting economic development. The Agency helped introduce RPA to an 

initial opportunity, and now the company is proving its value on the ground.

By employing the help of both local workers and U.S. experts, DC HydroPower is fulfilling the 

spirit of Umuganda, “coming together in common purpose to achieve an outcome.” They have 

created an international community of people united around the mutual goal of electrifying 

the Musanze District. By pooling their resources, talents and abilities, they will bring power to 

nearly 100,000 people.

Increasing Electricity Access Across Africa

In July 2013, President Obama launched the Power Africa initiative to increase electricity access 

in sub-Saharan Africa. Given the Agency's long history of convening U.S. industry experts and 

African project sponsors to deploy clean energy solutions across the continent, USTDA has taken 

a leading role in the initiative. Since its launch, the Agency has sponsored 36 project planning 

activities that support the development of 667 MW of renewable power.

USTDA has provided critical 

project planning assistance 

for 36 Power Africa projects.

These projects support the 

development of over 667 MW 

of new power generation.

Combined, these projects are 

anticipated to generate enough 

energy to supply 1.3 million 

African homes and businesses.

USTDA’s investments could 

help leverage over $6.4 billion 

in financing from public and 

private sources.

36

PROJECTS

667

MEGAWATTS

1.3M

HOMES

$6.4B

IN INVESTMENTS
6 U.S. TRADE AND DEVELOPMENT AGENCY ANNUAL REPORT 2015

COMBATTING 

CLIMATE CHANGE

Vietnam Goes Green

BEFORE THE BAC LIEU WIND FARM was built a few years ago, people 

living in Vietnam’s rural Mekong Delta would go without electricity for 

two or more days a week. To cope with this challenge, local farmers and 

fishermen ran expensive, polluting generators to keep their businesses 

afloat. But even with backup power, the demand for electricity far 

outweighed the supply.
U.S. TRADE AND DEVELOPMENT AGENCY ANNUAL REPORT 2015 7

Global objectives for mitigating climate change cannot 

be accomplished without serious commitment from 

China. Since 2001, USTDA has partnered with China 

on over 75 environmental and clean energy projects. 

Several of these were highlighted during the 2015 

meeting of the U.S.-China Climate Change Working 

Group. The Agency’s U.S. industry partners discussed 

collective efforts to reduce hydrofluorocarbons 

(HFCs) and to deploy carbon capture, utilization & 

storage (CCUS) technologies in China. 

India also recognizes the need to balance its 

incredible growth and increasing power demands with 

an energy strategy that seeks to reduce the nation’s 

dependence on fossil fuels. Supporting India’s efforts 

to curb greenhouse gas emissions, the Agency is 

sponsoring smart grid and energy efficiency activities 

that feature cutting-edge U.S. technologies in four of 

India’s seven largest cities. USTDA is also providing 

technical assistance for an integrated renewable 

energy storage project announced during President 

Obama’s visit to India in January 2015. 

Today, Bac Lieu residents have access to reliable electricity most days a week. As a result of 

investments by the Cong Ly Construction-Trade-Tourism Company, the region is now powered 

by Vietnam’s first near-offshore wind farm. Cong Ly Company is not stopping at just 16 MW of 

new clean energy — they plan to expand the wind farm to nearly 400 MW. 

Increasing the wind farm’s capacity to that extent requires Cong Ly to team up with leading energy 

industry experts. That is exactly what happened after a USTDA-sponsored reverse trade mission to 

the United States. Cong Ly reported that participating in the program, which included meetings 

with wind turbine suppliers and engineering design firms, provided them the “chance to observe 

the great technology applied in the U.S.” They also noted the flexibility of U.S. industry and 

its willingness to work with them to address their needs and to meet their timelines.

As a direct result of this visit, Cong Ly updated their plans for the subsequent phases of 

the project and purchased 52 wind turbines manufactured in Florida and financed by 

the Export-Import Bank of the United States and Vietnam Development Bank. According 

to Cong Ly, they chose to do so because U.S. firms build products to the highest 

international standards and have a history of manufacturing quality, durable equipment. 

Today, USTDA and Cong Ly are working together to develop a third phase of the Bac 

Lieu wind farm. When complete, this innovative collaboration will bring up to 400 MW of 

wind energy to the national grid, helping Vietnam reach one-fifth of its goal of producing 

2,000 MW of new renewable energy by 2020. Not only is the company proud of this work, so 

are the local government and residents. According to Cong Ly, “The future of the next generation 

is based on the results of our work today. Clean energy is the future — it is the trend in developing 

countries and it is the key to Vietnam’s ability to stay in the game.” 

Cong Ly Company's growth and the Bac Lieu wind farm demonstrate how private sector-led 

innovation — and partnership with U.S. experts — can deploy renewable solutions and reduce 

emissions in fast-growing economies. 

Reducing Harmful Carbon Emissions

President Obama’s Climate Action Plan, released in 2013, details the U.S. government’s intent to 

lead international efforts in mitigating the effects of global climate change. The Plan highlights the 

need for energy that supports economic growth and fuels global markets, but also acknowledges 

that the international community will have to meet these demands in a climate-constrained world. 

In line with these goals, USTDA helps its partner countries bring renewable energy online and 

supports their efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. 
8 U.S. TRADE AND DEVELOPMENT AGENCY ANNUAL REPORT 2015

Botswana Finds Value in GPI

PROMOTING VALUE-BASED

PROCUREMENT

“WATER AND POWER PROJECTS are very 

expensive, so when their procurement goes 

wrong, the whole nation suffers.” 

Mrs. Bridget Poppy John serves as Executive 

Chairperson of Botswana’s Public Procurement 

and Asset Disposal Board, which provides 

quality assurance for the central government’s 

public procurement and asset disposal. 
U.S. TRADE AND DEVELOPMENT AGENCY ANNUAL REPORT 2015 9

The GPI provides public procurement 

officials access to world-class experts 

during workshops and study tours.

Together, the five GPI partner 

countries spend $60 billion 

annually on public procurement. 

In-country GPI advisors help 

procuring entities put lessons 

learned into practice. 

440

OFFICIALS TRAINED

$60B

ON PUBLIC TENDERS

14

TENDERS UNDER REVIEW

The people of Botswana have learned from experience the negative consequences of poorly planned 

infrastructure procurement and project management. Against this backdrop, Mrs. John and the 

Board are determined to embrace the use of modern procurement methods to achieve greater 

value from their investments. 

To reach this goal, the Board has partnered with USTDA under the Agency’s Global Procurement 

Initiative: Understanding Best Value (GPI). To kick off the collaboration, USTDA and its GPI partners 

trained 40 Botswana officials on value-based procurement methods. The Agency then hosted a dozen 

of those officials in the United States to introduce them to best practices in procurement at the federal, 

state and municipal levels. To ensure the lessons learned through these programs are incorporated into 

Botswana’s future tenders, USTDA has provided two procurement advisors to the Ministry of Minerals 

Energy and Water Resources. Today, these advisors are helping the Ministry create more transparent 

reporting procedures and draft tender documents that incorporate life-cycle cost analysis mechanisms.

The Botswana officials are putting the lessons they have learned from the GPI into practice. Already, 

leaders from two procuring entities have begun using life-cycle cost analysis in the development 

and evaluation of their tenders. They believe so strongly in this program and the benefits it will 

bring to Botswana that they have started training their colleagues using GPI best practices. 

Most importantly, the Board has proposed specific amendments to Botswana’s national procurement 

law as a direct result of the GPI training. Moving away from focusing solely on lowest price, the Board 

is recommending the use of value-based methodologies and a greater focus on contract management. 

These changes are designed to enhance efficiency, increase transparency and improve outcomes. 

Mrs. John and the Board believe that the GPI has given them important tools they can use to 

achieve the greatest value for public funds. By establishing a more transparent procurement 

environment that fosters increased competition, the Government of Botswana will be able to 

acquire high-quality goods and services that can benefit the whole nation. 

INCREASING VALUE FOR INFRASTRUCTURE INVESTMENTS 

The GPI helps public officials in emerging markets integrate life-cycle cost analysis and best-value 

determination in a fair, transparent manner to promote sustainable investments and to level the 

playing field for greater competition in public tenders. Since the initiative's launch in 2013, USTDA 

has developed its customized GPI activities with its partners from the Government Procurement 

Law Program at George Washington University Law School. 

TO LEARN MORE ABOUT THIS STORY, SEE USTDA'S VIDEO: 

GPI Helps Emerging Economies Understand Best Value

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HswoRkpwxDw
10 U.S. TRADE AND DEVELOPMENT AGENCY ANNUAL REPORT 2015
U.S. TRADE AND DEVELOPMENT AGENCY ANNUAL REPORT 2015 11

INVESTING IN

GROWTH

$11.8 B

New U.S. 

exports 

identified in 

FY 2015

65,900 

Estimated U.S. 

jobs supported by 

USTDA exports 

in FY 2015

$53.4 B

Total U.S. 

exports generated 

by USTDA 

programs

$74

U.S. exports 

generated 

for each $1 

invested

IN ADDITION TO ADDRESSING CROSSCUTTING GLOBAL ISSUES,

USTDA continued to link U.S. companies to priority infrastructure 

projects in FY 2015. The Agency’s project preparation activities 

give its overseas partners the opportunity to identify U.S. 

technologies and services that can help them attract financing and 

develop sustainable infrastructure. This infrastructure —including 

clean energy, transportation and telecommunications — fosters 

economic growth and facilitates local, regional and global trade.

USTDA’s activities also provide U.S. companies access to leading 

infrastructure project sponsors around the world. This allows 

U.S. companies to build partnerships with some of the world’s 

fastest-growing markets. This year alone, the Agency identified 

$11.8 billion of new U.S. exports generated from USTDA-funded 

activities, which have helped support approximately 65,900 jobs 

in the United States. The following examples demonstrate the 

benefits of USTDA’s unique brand of cooperation.
12 U.S. TRADE AND DEVELOPMENT AGENCY ANNUAL REPORT 2015

THE CITY OF DELHI is full of vibrant colors, beautiful sights and 

unforgettable sounds. But with a population of over 18 million people, 

the bustle of India’s capital places a heavy burden on its electric grid. 

To address these challenges, one utility company, Tata Power Delhi 

Distribution Ltd. (TPDDL), has implemented innovative technologies, 

processes and approaches to deliver consistent power to its customers. 

INVESTING IN

ENERGY

India Delivers Smart Power
U.S. TRADE AND DEVELOPMENT AGENCY ANNUAL REPORT 2015 13

TPDDL is responsible for providing reliable electricity to 7 million people in the northern and 

northwestern parts of Delhi, where peak demand has exceeded 1,700 megawatts and where 

consistent power is a requirement for the growing economy and for quality of life. In the 1990s, 

the Delhi Government responded to the challenge of unreliable power by restructuring its 

distribution system and privatizing its utilities. TPDDL helped lead the charge, although it did 

not come without its challenges. 

One major issue facing power distribution companies throughout India was electricity theft. 

TPDDL took an unconventional approach to address it: The company went into the parts of 

Delhi where distribution losses were highest and established various programs designed to 

address its customers’ most pressing needs. They built medical facilities, sponsored vocational 

training and set up women’s literacy centers. These services have improved the quality 

of life for 1 million people.

TPDDL has taken additional steps to better serve its customers. Through support 

provided by USTDA, the company has completed several projects focused on 

modernizing its electric grid, reducing and managing outages, and utilizing 

renewable energy. USTDA has connected TPDDL with cutting-edge, scalable 

U.S. technologies that have helped the utility identify and quickly respond 

to problems that occur throughout the grid and, in the event of an outage, 

inform consumers how long it will likely take to resolve the issue. Inside 

TPDDL’s distribution centers today, employees utilize U.S. solutions such as 

geographical information systems and outage management systems to ensure 

their customers are receiving consistent power. 

USTDA also supported Honeywell Building Solutions (Golden Valley, MN) in launching 

India’s first-ever automated demand response system. The utility is now able to 

empower customers to manage their electricity consumption and costs, which in turn 

helps the company manage demand efficiently across the grid. With support from USTDA, 

TPDDL has also developed a renewable energy roadmap that includes plans to install 400 MW 

of rooftop solar power by 2025.

TPDDL has emerged as one of India’s leading electricity distribution utilities, incorporating a 

number of technologies to enhance the effectiveness of Delhi’s electrical grid. The utility is 

sharing its best practices in India and around the world, including during the 2015 International 

Istanbul Smart Grid Congress. 

Originally starting out with 800,000 consumers, TPDDL now manages 1.5 million connections that 

cover a population of 7 million. Managing that kind of growth, according to CEO and Managing 

Director Praveer Sinha, “required imagination, skill and drive.” TPDDL’s progress presents a 

strong example of how a company can do good and do well.

TO LEARN MORE ABOUT THIS STORY, SEE USTDA'S VIDEO: 

Implementing Smart Power in India

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7bMBUBDq7FU
14 U.S. TRADE AND DEVELOPMENT AGENCY ANNUAL REPORT 2015

USTDA helps its partner countries mitigate the 

effects of global climate change by developing 

their renewable energy resources, investing in 

cleaner forms of traditional energy like natural 

gas and modernizing their electric grids to increase 

efficiency, reliability and sustainability. 

USTDA’s renewable investments primarily focus on solar, 

wind, hydropower and geothermal — areas that have 

yielded the most success for the Agency’s overseas and 

U.S. partners. USTDA will continue to identify the best 

opportunities for innovative U.S.-sourced technologies to 

support both large and small projects in these subsectors. 

The Agency has also prioritized gas-fired power, as it is 

cleaner, more efficient and can provide a complementary 

source to intermittent renewable power generation. 

Due to resource constraints and the high cost of 

new power generation, several USTDA partners have 

prioritized grid modernization as a cost-effective and 

environmentally responsible way to improve power 

quality, reliability and access. The Agency continues 

to pioneer new programs in electricity transmission and 

distribution, notably with smart grid technologies, an 

area in which U.S. companies are highly competitive. 

The Agency will continue to support its' partners efforts to 

deploy U.S. energy storage solutions that can stabilize and 

support modern grids, while increasing the effectiveness 

of renewable energy sources. 

Impact of USTDA's Renewable Energy Portfolio in 2015

WIND

1,235 MW

SOLAR

692.5 MW

HYBRID

400 MW

HYDRO

58.6 MW

BIOMASS

16.7 MW

GEOTHERMAL

13.2 MW

In FY 2015, USTDA committed over half of its energy investments to developing renewable 

power. These project planning activities have the potential to develop over 2,400 megawatts 

of new renewable energy and to unlock over $4.3 billion in financing. This would reduce the 

reliance on traditional power generation in the emerging markets USTDA serves, thus curbing 

CO2 equivalent emissions by an estimated 12 million metric tons per year. 

USTDA’s critical project 

planning has the potential to 

unlock $4.3 billion in capital.

These projects aim to support the 

development of over 2,400 MW of 

new renewable power generation.

An estimated 12 million metric tons 

of CO2 equivalent could be reduced 

or avoided per year, if implemented. 

$4.3B

IN CAPITAL

2,400

MEGAWATTS

12M

METRIC TONS OF CO2 EMISSIONS

ELECTRIFYING GROWTH
U.S. TRADE AND DEVELOPMENT AGENCY ANNUAL REPORT 2015 15

In FY 2015, USTDA committed over half of its energy 

investments to project planning activities designed to develop 

over 2,400 megawatts of new renewable energy.
16 U.S. TRADE AND DEVELOPMENT AGENCY ANNUAL REPORT 2015

EL DORADO INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT in Bogota is a key gateway 

from the U.S. to Colombia — and to the rest of Latin America. BOG is 

Colombia’s main international hub for air cargo and passenger traffic. In 

fact, passenger traffic is projected to reach 33 million people next year.

INVESTING IN

TRANSPORT

Colombia Expands Aviation Hub
U.S. TRADE AND DEVELOPMENT AGENCY ANNUAL REPORT 2015 17

This kind of growth in aviation supports sustainable development and drives broader economic 

growth. Increases in air traffic can create jobs, boost tourism and unlock markets. For these 

reasons, officials in Colombia have been focused on expanding BOG and other airports for 

the last several years. 

Aerocivil, Colombia’s civil aviation authority, recognized the importance of addressing 

capacity constraints at BOG in order to prevent bottlenecks, which would translate into 

regional and even worldwide congestion, given the high volume of international traffic. 

To address this challenge, they asked for USTDA’s assistance in updating the airport’s 

master plan to improve capacity and strengthen connectivity between Bogota and the 

surrounding region. 

Aerocivil selected T.Y. Lin International (TYLI), an engineering services firm 

headquartered in San Francisco, CA, to perform the work under the USTDA 

feasibility study. After being introduced to this initial opportunity and completing 

the work successfully, TYLI was able to compete for — and win — subsequent 

contracts in Colombia. 

Their work under the USTDA grant helped TYLI enter and succeed in a key 

market. In fact, TYLI has since opened its first office in Colombia and hired more 

staff in the U.S. to support its expansion. As BOG’s recent growth illustrates, 

Colombia remains a promising market for TYLI and other U.S. companies. 

Growth in aviation supports sustainable development 

and drives broader economic growth. Increases in 

air traffic can create jobs, boost tourism and unlock markets. 

For these reasons, officials in Colombia have been focused on 

expanding BOG and other airports for the last several years. 
18 U.S. TRADE AND DEVELOPMENT AGENCY ANNUAL REPORT 2015

Well-functioning transportation networks —air, 

surface and maritime — are critical to an 

economy’s ability to grow. USTDA has 

decades of experience in helping its partner 

countries modernize their transportation infrastructure 

in order to facilitate the movement of people and goods, 

both within and across borders. From providing technical 

assistance that supports trade facilitation, to piloting 

U.S. technologies for customs systems at borders, to 

modernizing “hard” infrastructure at ports, railways 

and airports, USTDA introduces high-performing U.S. 

solutions that can increase capacity, enhance efficiency 

and improve safety. 

USTDA’s public-private partnerships provide a platform for 

aviation officials to address safety and security priorities 

in high-growth aviation markets. They also support the 

expansion of airport infrastructure and the emergence of 

business aviation in these markets. U.S. businesses have 

generated significant exports as a result of the Agency’s 

investments in these areas, demonstrating the value of 

advanced U.S. technologies and services, including security 

equipment as well as communications and air traffic 

management systems. 

USTDA pursues opportunities to advance the growth of 

freight rail systems, driving the demand for efficient and 

reliable locomotive technologies as well as the need for 

communications and control systems that maintain safe 

operations. The integration of urban transportation systems 

and efficient linkages to port infrastructure is also an 

increased focus. 

USTDA expects that intermodal linkages and energy 

efficient technologies will play even stronger roles in the 

future, as its partners seek more sustainable communities 

and increased roles in international trade.

BUILDING INFRASTRUCTURE FOR GROWTH 

The Greening of Transportation

In FY 2015, several of USTDA’s overseas partners undertook efforts to increase the energy 

efficiency of their transportation systems. The Agency sponsored activities designed to 

introduce U.S. solutions that could help them improve efficiency and reduce emissions in the 

air, on land and by sea.

Reduce fuel consumption 

by introducing air traffic 

management solutions in 

Vietnam and the Philippines 

Address congestion by deploying 

intelligent transportation 

systems in Guadalajara, Mexico, 

home of 1.5 million people

Pilot communications systems 

to reduce emissions and 

improve energy efficiency at 

up to 6 seaports in China

AVIATION TRAFFIC 

CONTROL PORTS
U.S. TRADE AND DEVELOPMENT AGENCY ANNUAL REPORT 2015 19

Well-functioning transportation networks — air, surface and 

maritime — are critical to an economy’s ability to grow. 
20 U.S. TRADE AND DEVELOPMENT AGENCY ANNUAL REPORT 2015

INVESTING IN

TELECOM

Turkey Enhances Emergency Response

ISTANBUL, THE ENGINE OF TURKEY’S ECONOMY and the home of 14 million 

people, lies along the border between Europe and Asia. It also lies along 

the North Anatolian Fault, which makes it highly susceptible to severe 

and potentially devastating earthquakes. Recognizing that Istanbul lacked 

sufficient resources to respond to such disasters, local leaders set out 

to design an emergency operations center with cutting-edge solutions.
U.S. TRADE AND DEVELOPMENT AGENCY ANNUAL REPORT 2015 21

In an effort to support its Turkish partners, USTDA brought a delegation of emergency response 

officials to the United States to visit three emergency operations centers, where they saw innovative 

technologies in operation. The delegates were able to exchange information with U.S. experts 

and to brainstorm about the next generations of technology. They knew that they needed to 

design a center with solutions that had not even hit the market yet. 

Upon returning to Istanbul, that is exactly what they did — they built the state-of-the-art Hasdal 

Emergency Operations Center, which opened in 2014. On a recent trip to Turkey, USTDA's Director 

toured the Center, where staff demonstrated the utility of several U.S. solutions capable of 

delivering effective emergency response. From Dell servers to Motorola radios to Oracle 

software, more than 70% of the Hasdal Center is outfitted with U.S. technologies. 

The staff indicated that they chose these technologies because they knew they 

could not take risks with emergency operations, since failure presented a matter 

of life and death. From their perspective, it was not only that the U.S. products 

were in many cases the best on the market, it was also that the U.S. companies 

committed to long-term service. They needed to have the confidence that the 

technologies they purchased would remain operational, but they also needed 

to know that they had reliable partners to call upon if need be. They issued a 

competitive international tender designed to attract top-of-the-line solutions, 

which allowed them to identify and select U.S. goods and services that met 

their needs. 

Today, the Hasdal Center plays a number of important roles in the community. Its 

staff is responsible for educating the public on how to prepare for and respond to 

emergencies. They study the risk to public structures during earthquakes and conduct 

assessments on retrofitting or reconstructing buildings in Istanbul. They also perform risk 

appraisals of cultural heritage sites, which is important in a city so rich with history.

While it may be impossible to prevent natural disasters, it is possible to improve the response 

to them. Istanbul has made important progress toward this goal by establishing the Hasdal 

Emergency Operations Center, and USTDA is proud to have helped lay the groundwork for 

its development. 

Following a USTDA reverse trade mission to the United States, 

Turkish officials built the state-of-the-art Hasdal Emergency 

Operations Center. From Dell servers to Motorola radios to 

Oracle software, more than 70% of the Center is outfitted with U.S. 

technologies that can help them deliver effective emergency response. 
22 U.S. TRADE AND DEVELOPMENT AGENCY ANNUAL REPORT 2015

Almost every aspect of advanced infrastructure development includes telecommunications. 

As many emerging markets are experiencing unprecedented population growth and rapid 

urbanization, they are focused increasingly on deploying telecom tools to develop smarter, more 

sustainable cities. USTDA has been at the forefront of these efforts during the past fiscal year. 

Several of the Agency's partners have made 

prior investments in “intelligent” solutions for 

transportation, energy and e-citizen services. But 

they have begun to realize that the key to a truly 

“smart” city — one with increased efficiency and 

engaged citizens — is integration. For example, 

USTDA is supporting the City of Istanbul’s efforts 

to invest in big data solutions that will help them 

integrate their IT infrastructure. Istanbul already 

has a strong foundation of enhanced services but, 

as its population is expected to surpass the largest 

European cities by 2020, it is important to prepare 

for continued growth—and to meet the expectations 

of an increasingly interactive population. USTDA’s 

grant provides the support necessary to help 

Istanbul improve city operations, enhance disaster 

management and provide reliable public services.

The Agency is also leading the U.S. government’s 

efforts to connect U.S. industry to India’s plans 

to build 100 smart cities. USTDA is uniquely 

positioned to advance this initiative, as the Agency’s 

crosscutting experience can be leveraged to deliver 

technical assistance and to pilot technologies that 

will help India develop cities that are cleaner, more 

efficient and have a lower carbon impact. To support 

these objectives, USTDA this past year signed 

agreements to help three Indian state governments 

develop smart cities utilizing U.S. industry expertise 

and solutions.

Building Smart, Sustainable Cities

Telecommunications infrastructure serves 

as the backbone for advanced economic 

development in emerging economies. Access 

to telecommunications services has increased 

dramatically over the past decade: 5.2 billion of the 

world’s 7 billion mobile subscribers live in developing 

and middle-income countries. Internet connectivity in 

these countries has gone from 6.5% to over 30% of the 

population. Fixed broadband subscriptions have increased 

from 50 million to 359 million.

With populations that are increasingly connected, 

public and private sector stakeholders in emerging 

economies are seeking ways to provide services using 

these platforms. They are also using telecommunications 

tools to increase the effectiveness and interconnectivity 

of other infrastructure investments in transportation, 

energy and healthcare. At the same time, expanded 

network usage by individuals, businesses and service 

providers necessitates greater availability of data 

storage and cloud services, including cybersecurity 

infrastructure that can respond to evolving threats.

U.S. companies provide telecommunications solutions 

that increase access, manage and secure data, 

and facilitate improvements in transportation and 

energy infrastructure. USTDA helps position U.S. 

firms to supply advanced technologies and services 

to emerging markets that are developing modern 

telecommunications infrastructure.

CONNECTING THE WORLD
U.S. TRADE AND DEVELOPMENT AGENCY ANNUAL REPORT 2015 23

Access to telecommunications services has increased dramatically 

over the past decade: 5.2 billion of the world’s 7 billion mobile 

subscribers live in developing and middle-income countries.
24 U.S. TRADE AND DEVELOPMENT AGENCY ANNUAL REPORT 2015

Internet—www.ustda.gov

USTDA’s website provides 

comprehensive information on its 

program, current business opportunities, 

upcoming events, completed reports, 

Agency news, and recent publications.

Requests for Proposals (RFP)

USTDA posts RFP announcements 

about current business opportunities 

with the Agency and its overseas grant 

recipients on the Federal Business 

Opportunities (FBO) website at

www.fbo.gov. Links to the FBO postings 

are available on USTDA’s website 

at www.ustda.gov. RFP packages 

may be requested electronically via 

USTDA’s website. 

Contractor Registration

Many USTDA activities are reserved 

exclusively for small businesses. 

Small U.S. businesses interested in 

being considered for contracting 

opportunities with USTDA should register 

with the U.S. Government’s System for 

Award Management (SAM) website 

at www.sam.gov.

Library

USTDA’s library maintains final reports 

of Agency-funded activities and can 

provide electronic copies of those 

reports upon request by e-mailing 

library@ustda.gov. Furthermore, 

USTDA posts new reports directly on 

its website, www.ustda.gov. 

Publications

The Agency distributes a biweekly 

eNewsletter, TradePosts, to provide 

information about USTDA’s activities 

and events. Visit USTDA’s website 

to sign up to receive TradePosts. 

Requests for copies of printed 

publications can also be made via 

the Agency’s website.

Questions about USTDA

General inquiries about 

USTDA’s program can be made 

by calling (703) 875-4357, 

e-mailing info@ustda.gov, or 

completing the Contact Form on 

the Agency’s website.

Program Staff

To contact USTDA’s program staff, 

send an e-mail to: 

• East Asia: East_Asia@ustda.gov

• Latin America and the Caribbean:

LAC@ustda.gov

• Middle East, North Africa, 

Europe and Eurasia:

MENA_EE@ustda.gov

• South and Southeast Asia:

South_Southeast_Asia@ustda.gov

• Sub-Saharan Africa:

Africa@ustda.gov 

• Office of Global Programs:

Global@ustda.gov

• Office of Program Monitoring 

and Evaluations:

Evaluations@ustda.gov

USTDA Executives and Department Heads

To contact a USTDA Staff member, please call our main office line at 703-875-4357. 

Director. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Leocadia I. Zak 

Deputy Director. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Enoh T. Ebong 

General Counsel. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Michael Levitin 

Chief of Staff. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Clark Jennings

Director, Public Affairs and Congressional Relations. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Thomas R. Hardy

Director of Strategic Communications. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Anna Humphrey 

Director for Public Engagement. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Ashley Chang

Director for Global Programs. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Andrea Lupo

Regional Director, East Asia. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Carl B. Kress

Regional Director, Latin America and the Caribbean. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Nathan Younge

Regional Director, Middle East, North Africa, Europe and Eurasia. . . . . . . . Carl B. Kress

Regional Director, South and Southeast Asia. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Henry Steingass 

Regional Director, Sub-Saharan Africa (Acting). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Lida M. Fitts

Director, Office of Program Monitoring and Evaluations. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Diana Harbison

Director of Finance (Acting). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Mickey Bivins

Chief, Office of Acquisition Management . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Garth Hibbert

Administrative Officer. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Carolyn Hum

CLIENT RESOURCES
U.S. TRADE AND DEVELOPMENT AGENCY ANNUAL REPORT 2015 25

SUMMARY OF FY 2015 PROGRAM ACTIVITIES

USTDA ACTIVITIES

BY VALUE OF OBLIGATIONS

2013	 2014	 2015

DM/Desk Studies $2,183,364 5.3% $1,994,747 4.1% $1,185,271 2.3%

Feasibility Studies $16,182,817 39.1% $21,272,321 43.6% $20,388,588 39.9%

Reverse Trade Mission $5,770,693 13.9% $9,695,315 19.9% $4,460,140 8.7%

Technical Assistance $14,069,603 34.0% $12,254,025 25.1% $18,853,428 36.9%

Trade-Related Training $1,479,714 3.6% $500,000 1.0% $2,814,514 5.5%

Workshop/Conferences $1,709,113 4.1% $1,680,324 3.4% $3,354,277 6.5%

Other $25,306 0% $1,399,009 2.9% $82,049 0.2%

Total	 $41,420,610	 100%	 $48,795,741	 100%	 $51,138,267	 100%

USTDA ACTIVITIES BY ECONOMIC SECTOR

BY VALUE OF OBLIGATIONS

2013	 2014	 2015

Agribusiness $269,463 0.6% $1,060,109 2.2% $0 0%

Clean Energy/Energy Efficiency $17,610,249 42.5% $23,872,806 48.9% $22,264,703 43.6%

Health/HR $409,362 1.0% $1,661,105 3.4% $1,509,458 2.9%

Mining & Natural Resources $1,810,693 4.4% $85,933 0.1% $4,875,764 9.5%

Multi-Sector & Other $1,187,251 2.9% $1,032,234 2.1% $1,382,486 2.7%

Services $2,701,217 6.5% $3,178,276 6.5% $4,927,660 9.6%

Telecommunications $3,893,748 9.4% $3,573,677 7.3% $2,554,107 5.0%

Transportation $12,164,251 29.4% $12,840,822 26.4% $11,955,063 23.4%

Water & Environment $1,374,376 3.3% $1,490,779 3.1% $1,669,026 3.3%

Total	 $41,420,610	 100%	 $48,795,741	 100%	 $51,138,267 	 100%

FY 2015 PROGRAM ACTIVITIES LISTED BY REGION

EAST ASIA

China Green Construction & Waste Recycling Reverse Trade Mission Global Marketing and Communications, Inc. Arlington MA $338,809

China Harbin Airport Winter Operations Desk Study Montgomery Consulting Group, Inc. Winter Park FL $9,500

China U.S.–China Green Infrastructure and Smart Cities Reverse Trade Mission Experient Inc. Twinsburg OH $248,858

China Funding for USFCS Specialist Technical Assistance U.S. Commercial Service Washington DC $158,234

China 2016 East Asia Regional Office, Beijing, China Technical Assistance U.S. Department of State Washington DC $195,000

China Healthcare Leadership Training Program Reverse Trade Mission Meridian International Center Washington DC $380,000

China U.S.–China Standards & Conformity Assessment Cooperation Program, Phase IV Technical Assistance American National Standards Institute Washington DC $658,747

China U.S.–China Climate Change Working Group Roundtable Technical Symposium Experient Inc. Twinsburg OH $16,344

China U.S.–China Aviation Symposium Technical Symposium American Association of Airport Executives Alexandria VA $442,404

China Healthcare Workshop Series, Phase II Technical Assistance Selection in progress $250,000

China Big Data Management System Pilot Project Feasibility Study Clear Innovative Technology Solutions, LLC Reston VA $859,188

China Flight Delay Management Technical Assistance Federal Aviation Administration Washington DC $115,828

China U.S.–China Aviation Cooperation Program, Phase XI Technical Assistance Federal Aviation Administration Washington DC $74,774

China U.S.–China Aviation Cooperation Program, Phase XI Technical Assistance American Chamber of Commerce in China Fund Wilmington DE $530,401

China 2015 East Asia Regional Office, Beijing, China Technical Assistance U.S. Department of State Washington DC $195,000

China Flight Delay Management, Operational Capacity & System Efficiency, Phase II Technical Assistance American Chamber of Commerce in China Fund Wilmington DE $1,113,130

China Clean Energy and Low-Carbon Development Definitional Mission 3E Consulting LLC Columbia MD $84,982

China Low-NOx Technologies for Boilers Feasibility Study Selection in progress $806,661

China U.S.–China Cooperation Program, Phase XI Desk Study Montgomery Consulting Group, Inc. Winter Park FL $10,200

China U.S.–China Aviation Cooperation Program, Interpretation Other Xiaoming Helen Gao Washington DC $600

China Smart Grid Technologies Reverse Trade Mission The Webster Group, Inc. Washington DC $360,355

China China Food and Drug Administration Reverse Trade Mission The Webster Group, Inc. Washington DC $374,523

China U.S.–China Shale Gas Training Program, Phase II Technical Assistance Institute of Gas Technology Des Plaines IL $417,055

China Green Port Communications Feasibility Study ARES Security Corporation Vienna VA $843,720

China Director of Program Management, Beijing, China Technical Assistance Steven Q. Winkates Hernando FL $220,000

China Smart Grid Substation Communication Architecture Desk Study CORE International, Inc. Chevy Chase MD $14,500

China Xian Flight Delay Management Desk Study Montgomery Consulting Group, Inc. Winter Park FL $5,200

China U.S.–China Intellectual Property Law Training Program Training Tera International Group, Inc. Sterling VA $67,046

Mongolia Coal Mine CH4 Recovery and Utilization Desk Study 3E Consulting LLC Columbia MD $9,818

Total for East Asia: $8,800,877

COUNTRY	 TITLE	 ACTIVITY	 U.S.FIRM	 CITY	 STATE	 FUNDSOBLIGATED
26 U.S. TRADE AND DEVELOPMENT AGENCY ANNUAL REPORT 2015

COUNTRY	 TITLE	 ACTIVITY	 U.S.FIRM	 CITY	 STATE	 FUNDSOBLIGATED

LATIN AMERICAN & THE CARIBBEAN

Brazil Funding for USFCS Specialist Technical Assistance U.S. Commercial Service Washington DC $228,413

Brazil U.S.–Brazil Aviation Partnership, Phase II Desk Study Ronald F. Price dba QED Amelia Island FL $12,630

Brazil Clean Energy and Utility Management Project Opportunities Definitional Mission The Innovation Network LLC Lexington MA $99,926

Brazil Solvi Landfill Gas-to-Energy and Solar Cap Feasibility Study Selection in progress $590,000

Brazil Salvador Wastewater Energy and Operational Efficiency Feasibility Study Selection in progress $651,640

Brazil Brazil Passenger Rail Real Time Video Monitoring Project Technical Assistance Selection in progress $675,000

Brazil Resource Guide for U.S. Industry, Priority Transportation Projects Definitional Mission HE Pena Jr., Transportation Consulting Charleston SC $75,000

Brazil PROCERGS Network Modernization and Business Model Technical Assistance Selection in progress $356,920

Brazil Biogas Power Generation Scoping Assessment Technical Assistance Pharmer Engineering, LLC Boise ID $45,800

Brazil Biogas Power Generation Scoping Assessment Feasibility Study CH2M Hill International, Ltd. Englewood CO $586,589

Brazil Passenger Service System Training Training Selection in progress $780,000

Brazil Sergipe State Government Information Technology Modernization and Expansion Plan Technical Assistance Selection in progress $595,200

Brazil Telecommunications Technologies for Power Utilities Reverse Trade Mission Experient, Inc. Twinsburg OH $242,827

Brazil Brazil Health Care Information Technology Reverse Trade Mission Meridian International Center Washington DC $230,007

Brazil U.S.–Brazil Aviation Partnership, Phase II Technical Symposium Futron Aviation Corporation Norfolk VA $925,562

Brazil New Guandu Water Treatment Plant Value Engineering Review Technical Assistance Selection in progress $199,760

Colombia Coal Mine Methane Recovery Feasibility Study Raven Ridge Resources Inc. Grand Junction CO $533,481

Dominican Republic Smart Grid Upgrades for System Operator and Market Agents Technical Assistance Quanta Technology LLC Raleigh NC $573,215

Dominican Republic Third Party Financing Platform for Solar Photovoltaic Systems Technical Assistance Resource Mobilization Advisors Washington DC $311,856

Dominican Republic Modular Clean Distributed Generation Feasibility Study Positive Energies Loveland CO $721,781

Haiti Microgrid Development Assessment and Ranking Feasibility Study Energy and Security Group, LLC Reston VA $484,999

Mexico Aviation Sector Project Opportunities Definitional Mission KED Group, LLC Columbia SC $45,225

Mexico Renewable and Clean Energy Project Opportunities Definitional Mission K&M Engineering and Consulting Washington DC $78,840

Mexico Guadalajara Traffic Control Modernization Technical Assistance Telecom/Telematique, Inc. Washington DC $686,275

Panama Panama Canal Liquefied Natural Gas Terminal Feasibility Study Selection in progress $878,800

Panama Demand Side Management Pilot Project Feasibility Study Innovari, Inc. Austin TX $850,000

Regional Large-Scale Energy Storage Systems Desk Study Green Powered Technology, LLC Falls Church VA $11,850

Regional Central America & the Caribbean Clean Energy & Smart Grid Project Opportunities Definitional Mission Castalia LLC Washington DC $170,243

Regional Resource Guide for U.S. Industry on Priority Transportation Projects Definitional Mission KED Group, LLC Columbia SC $72,888

Total for Latin America and Caribbean: $11,714,727

MIDDLE EAST, NORTH AFRICA, EUROPE & EURASIA

Egypt Raya Holding Data Center and Cloud Services Desk Study Network Dynamics Associates, LLC Weston CT $15,000

Jordan Smart Grid Reverse Trade Mission Business Council for International Understanding New York NY $219,719

Morocco Hydrocarbon Storage, Blending and Distribution Terminal Feasibility Study Selection in progress $663,700

Regional Regional Geothermal Energy Opportunities Desk Study Constant Group, LLC Maywood NJ $13,844

Romania BRHA Corridor and Black Sea Shore—Podisor Pipeline Projects Feasibility Study Selection in progress $956,000

Romania Cyber Security Reverse Trade Mission Koeppen, Elliott & Associates, Ltd. Washington DC $143,003

Romania Enterprise Architecture and Interoperability Framework Technical Assistance Selection in progress $397,998

Romania Urban Telemedicine Solutions Feasibility Study Selection in progress $349,845

Romania Portable Emergency Collaboration and Communications Technology Desk Study Global Resources, Inc. Irvine CA $8,250

Turkey 13.2 MW Kuyucak Geothermal Project Feasibility Study Power Engineers, Inc. Hailey ID $463,840

Turkey Data Integration and Automated Demand Side Management Pilot Feasibility Study Selection in progress $1,414,656

Turkey Istanbul Smarter City Initiative Technical Assistance Selection in progress $673,055

Turkey Smart Grid Implementation for Power Distribution Feasibility Study ESTA International LLC Herndon VA $555,500

Ukraine Thermal Direct District Heating Desk Study E3 International Bethesda MC $15,000

Total for Middle East, North Africa, Europe and Eurasia: $5,889,410

SOUTH & SOUTHEAST ASIA

Burma Energy Transaction Advisory Services Technical Assistance Delphos International Washington DC $1,260,031

India Funding for USFCS Specialist Technical Assistance U.S. Commercial Service Washington DC $135,508

India Funding for USFCS Program Assistant Technical Assistance U.S. Commercial Service Washington DC $54,705

India Enhanced Coalbed Methane Development and Carbon Dioxide Storage Desk Study CORE International, Inc. Chevy Chase MD $9,800

India Leasing and Public Private Partnership Framework Project Technical Assistance Selection in progress $518,100

India Smart Cities Integrated Planning Technical Specialist Services Technical Assistance Emerging Markets Infrastructure, LLC Herndon VA $551,788

India Andhra Pradesh Smart Solutions for Smart Cities Reverse Trade Mission Experient Inc. Twinsburg OH $200,087

India U.S.–India Aviation Partnership Summit Technical Symposium American Association of Airport Executives Alexandria VA $381,532
U.S. TRADE AND DEVELOPMENT AGENCY ANNUAL REPORT 2015 27

COUNTRY	 TITLE	 ACTIVITY	 U.S.FIRM	 CITY	 STATE	 FUNDSOBLIGATED

India Bottoms Upgrading Project Feasibility Study Selection in progress $836,550

India Provision 2 Body Scanner System Pilot Technical Assistance Selection in progress $712,456

India Integrated Wind, Solar and Energy Storage Project Technical Assistance Selection in progress $898,000

India Travel Funding, USFCS Specialist Other U.S. Commercial Service Washington DC $5,000

Indonesia Transportation Infrastructure Definitional Mission Emerging Markets Infrastructure, LLC Herndon VA $90,538

Pakistan Pakistan Travel Other Regional Staff Travel $3,860

Pakistan Islamabad Vehicle Tax Collection Pilot Desk Study HE Pena Jr., Transportation Consulting Charleston SC $8,000

Philippines Waste-to-Energy Facilities Desk Study CORE International, Inc. Chevy Chase MD $9,800

Regional 2016 Southeast Asia Regional Office, Bangkok, Thailand Technical Assistance U.S. Department of State Washington DC $132,860

Regional APEC Air Traffic Management and Air Traffic Control Workshop Technical Symposium The Webster Group, Inc. Washington DC $167,322

Regional U.S.–ASEAN Energy Infrastructure Technical Symposium The Webster Group, Inc. Washington DC $525,741

Regional APEC Air Traffic Management Emissions Reduction Technical Assistance Metron Aviation Incorporated Dulles VA $199,000

Regional Business Development Manager, Storage Expenses Other Joe Moholland Moving Woodbridge VA $1,099

Vietnam Funding for USFCS Specialist Technical Assistance U.S. Commercial Service Washington DC $44,132

Vietnam Hanoi Water Information and Communication Technology System Upgrade Desk Study Green Power Systems, LLC Bellevue WI $23,000

Vietnam Phu Cuong 1 Wind Farm Project Feasibility Study Selection in progress $807,000

Vietnam Bac Lieu Phase III Wind Farm Project Feasibility Study Selection in progress $926,000

Vietnam State Treasury General Accounting and Capital Expenditure Desk Study Leading Associates, LLC Wilmington DE $7,895

Vietnam Travel Funding, USFCS Specialist Other U.S. Commercial Service Washington DC $5,500

Vietnam SAWACO ICT Strategy and Implementation Plan Desk Study Green Power Systems, LLC Newcastle WA $11,800

Vietnam SAWACO ICT Strategy and Implementation Technical Assistance ASTRO Systems, Inc. Bethesda MD $154,237

Vietnam Aviation Safety Technical Assistance Aviation Safety Oversight Group, Inc. Hermitage TN $565,534

Total for South & Southeast Asia: $9,246,875

SUB-SAHARAN AFRICA

Burundi Mubuga 7.5 Megawatt Solar Power Plant Feasibility Study Selection in progress $597,000

Cameroon Cameroon Water Distribution Desk Study Performance Technology Lewiston ME $8,000

Ethiopia Ethiopian Airlines Training Training Selection in progress $750,000

Ethiopia Ethiopian Airlines Training Desk Study Montgomery Consulting Group, Inc. Winter Park FL $3,000

Kenya National Cybersecurity Master Plan Desk Study Simon Everett, LTD Washington DC $13,000

Malawi Luweya Hydropower Plant Feasibility Study Water Wheel International, Inc. Irving TX $684,000

Mozambique Critical Electricity Transmission and Distribution Infrastructure Technical Assistance Black & Veatch Special Projects Corporation Overland Park KS $649,354

Nigeria Funding for USFCS Specialist Technical Assistance U.S. Commercial Service Washington DC $278,849

Nigeria Dangote Petroleum Refinery Training Selection in progress $997,433

Nigeria ABIBA Solar Independent Power Plant Feasibility Study Tetra Tech ES, Inc. Arlington VA $992,968

Regional 2016 Sub-Saharan Africa Regional Office, Johannesburg, South Africa Technical Assistance Department of State Washington DC $248,500

Regional Climate Information and Early Warning Systems Reverse Trade Mission Business Council for International Understanding New York NY $339,881

Regional East Africa Airports and Ports Security and Modernization Reverse Trade Mission The Webster Group, Inc. Washington DC $524,265

Regional Biomass Projects Desk Study The Innovation Network LLC Lexington MA $24,837

Regional Biofuels Project Desk Study 3E Consulting LLC Columbia MD $25,250

Regional Africa Energy Forum Sponsorship Technical Symposium EnergyNet Ltd. $2,550

Regional Natural Gas Sector Desk Study The Innovation Network LLC Lexington MA $58,300

Regional Healthcare Technologies Reverse Trade Mission The Webster Group, Inc. Washington DC $299,606

Regional U.S.–ACEF Sub-Saharan Africa Solar Energy Projects Desk Study Laurence William Philip $19,800

Regional U.S.–ACEF East & Central Africa Renewable Energy Projects Desk Study CORE International, Inc. Chevy Chase MD $62,040

Regional U.S.–Africa Energy Sector Standards Cooperation Program Technical Assistance American National Standards Institute Washington DC $401,868

Regional Powering Africa Summit Sponsorship Technical Symposium EnergyNet Ltd. $2,550

Regional Africa Clean Energy Travel Other $40,990

Rwanda Rwaza I & II Hydropower Projects Technical Assistance Ritoch-Powell & Associates Consulting Engineers, Inc. Phoenix AZ $525,000

Senegal Bargny-Sendou Bulk Port Feasibility Study Selection in progress $1,038,845

Senegal Bargny-Sendou Bulk Port Desk Study The Innovation Network LLC Lexington MA $10,900

South Africa Energy Storage Technology and Market Assessment Technical Assistance Parsons Government Services International, Inc. Pasadena CA $487,669

South Africa Mobilizing Private Capital for Growth in Africa Technical Symposium Citibank Purchase Card $3,500

South Africa Development Bank of Southern Africa Clean Energy Advisor Technical Assistance 3E Consulting LLC Columbia MD $940,182

South Africa Energy Storage Technologies Desk Study Green Powered Technology, LLC Falls Church VA $37,425

South Africa U.S.–South Africa Aviation Training Program Phase I Training American Association of Airport Executives Alexandria VA $121,641

South Africa U.S.–South Africa Aviation Training Program Training Federal Aviation Administration Washington DC $98,394

Tanzania Shinyanga 60 MW Solar Photovoltaic Power Plant Feasibility Study Selection in progress $877,825

Tanzania Lake Victoria Islands Minigrid Pilot Feasibility Study MRIGlobal Kansas City MO $818,000

Tanzania Mtwara Port Desk Study Interdisciplinary Research Consultants–US Springfield Gardens NY $8,990

Tanzania Lukosi River Small Hydropower Development Feasibility Study Ritoch-Powell & Associates Consulting Engineers, Inc. Phoenix AZ $600,000

Total for Sub-Saharan Africa $12,592,413
28 U.S. TRADE AND DEVELOPMENT AGENCY ANNUAL REPORT 2015

COUNTRY	 TITLE	 ACTIVITY	 U.S.FIRM	 CITY	 STATE	 FUNDSOBLIGATED

WORLDWIDE

Regional Public Procurement Legal Advisor and Trainer Technical Assistance Daniel I. Gordon Washington DC $251,000

Regional Procurement Assistance Program, Philippines: Phase I Technical Symposium Business Council for International Understanding New York NY $197,185

Regional Procurement Assistance Program, Ethiopia: Phases I and II Technical Symposium The Webster Group, Inc. Washington DC $486,154

Regional Procurement Assistance Program, Romania: Phase I Technical Symposium Business Council for International Understanding New York NY $203,433

Regional Global Smart Grid Reverse Trade Mission Experient Inc. Twinsburg OH $224,555

Regional Procurement Assistance Program, Vietnam: Phase II Reverse Trade Mission I.M. Systems Group, Inc. Rockville MD $333,645

Regional GPI Invitational Travel Technical Assistance Daniel I. Gordon Washington DC $8,866

Regional Invitational Travel Technical Assistance Praveer Sinha $2,300

Regional Invitational Travel Technical Assistance Steven Q. Winkates Hernando FL $4,300

Regional GPI Invitational Travel Technical Assistance Daniel I. Gordon Washington DC $7,245

Regional 2015 Travel Insurance Other USI Insurance Services, LLC Columbus OH $25,000

Regional Research and Analysis Program Contract Technical Assistance Ascendant Program Services, LLC Silver Spring MD $1,020,172

Regional GPI Energy Technical Specialist Technical Assistance Green Powered Technology, LLC Falls Church VA $130,110

Total for Worldwide $2,893,965

GRAND TOTAL: $51,138,267
U.S. TRADE AND DEVELOPMENT AGENCY ANNUAL REPORT 2015 29

Independent Auditors’ Report 

The Director

U.S. Trade and Development Agency:

Report on the Financial Statements

We have audited the accompanying financial statements of the U. S. Trade and Development Agency (“USTDA”) which comprise 

the balance sheets as of September 30, 2015 and 2014, and the related statements of net cost, changes in net position, and 

budgetary resources for the years then ended, and the related notes to the financial statements (hereinafter referred to as 

“financial statements”).

Management’s Responsibility for the Financial Statements

Management is responsible for the preparation and fair presentation of these financial statements in accordance with U.S. 

generally accepted accounting principles; this includes the design, implementation, and maintenance of internal control 

relevant to the preparation and fair presentation of financial statements that are free from material misstatement, whether 

due to fraud or error.

Auditors’ Responsibility

Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements based on our audits. We conducted our audits in 

accordance with auditing standards generally accepted in the United States of America; the standards applicable to financial 

audits contained in Government Auditing Standards issued by the Comptroller General of the United States; and Office of 

Management and Budget (OMB) Bulletin No. 15-02, Audit Requirements for Federal Financial Statements. Those standards 

and OMB Bulletin No. 15-02 require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the 

financial statements are free from material misstatement.

An audit involves performing procedures to obtain audit evidence about the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. 

The procedures selected depend on the auditors’ judgment, including the assessment of the risks of material misstatement 

of the financial statements, whether due to fraud or error. In making those risk assessments the auditor considers internal 

control relevant to the entity’s preparation and fair presentation of the financial statements in order to design audit procedures 

that are appropriate in the circumstances, but not for the purpose of expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of USTDA’s 

internal control. Accordingly, we express no such opinion. An audit also includes evaluating the appropriateness of accounting 

policies used and the reasonableness of significant accounting estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the 

overall presentation of the financial statements.

We believe that the audit evidence we have obtained is sufficient and appropriate to provide a basis for our audit opinion.

Opinion on the Financial Statements

In our opinion, the financial statements referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of USTDA 

as of September 30, 2015 and 2014, and its net costs, changes in net position, and budgetary resources for the years then 

ended in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles.

KMPG LLP

Suite 12000

1801 K Street, NW

Washington, DC 20006
30 U.S. TRADE AND DEVELOPMENT AGENCY ANNUAL REPORT 2015

Other Matters

Required Supplementary Information

U.S. generally accepted accounting principles require that the information in the Management’s Discussion and Analysis 

section be presented to supplement the basic financial statements. Such information, although not a part of the basic 

financial statements, is required by the Federal Accounting Standards Advisory Board who considers it to be an essential part 

of financial reporting for placing the basic financial statements in an appropriate operational, economic, or historical context. 

We have applied certain limited procedures to the required supplementary information, excluding information in referenced 

websites, in accordance with auditing standards generally accepted in the United States of America, which consisted of 

inquiries of management about the methods of preparing the information and comparing the information for consistency 

with management’s responses to our inquiries, the basic financial statements, and other knowledge we obtained during our 

audits of the basic financial statements. We do not express an opinion or provide any assurance on the information because 

the limited procedures do not provide us with sufficient evidence to express an opinion or provide any assurance.

Other Information

Our audits were conducted for the purpose of forming an opinion on the basic financial statements as a whole. The Director’s 

Message, Performance section, Other Information section, and information in referenced websites, included in the USTDA 

Performance and Accountability Report, are presented for purposes of additional analysis and are not a required part of the 

basic financial statements. Such information has not been subjected to the auditing procedures applied in the audit of the 

basic financial statements, and accordingly, we do not express an opinion or provide any assurance on it.

Other Reporting Required by Government Auditing Standards

Internal Control Over Financial Reporting

In planning and performing our audit of the financial statements as of and for the year ended September 30, 2015, we considered 

USTDA’s internal control over financial reporting (internal control) to determine the audit procedures that are appropriate in 

the circumstances for the purpose of expressing our opinion on the financial statements, but not for the purpose of expressing 

an opinion on the effectiveness of USTDA’s internal control. Accordingly, we do not express an opinion on the effectiveness of 

USTDA’s internal control. We did not test all internal controls relevant to operating objectives as broadly defined by the Federal 

Managers’ Financial Integrity Act of 1982.

A deficiency in internal control exists when the design or operation of a control does not allow management or employees, 

in the normal course of performing their assigned functions, to prevent, or detect and correct, misstatements on a timely 

basis. A material weakness is a deficiency, or a combination of deficiencies, in internal control, such that there is a reasonable 

possibility that a material misstatement of the entity’s financial statements will not be prevented, or detected and corrected, 

on a timely basis. A significant deficiency is a deficiency, or a combination of deficiencies, in internal control that is less severe 

than a material weakness, yet important enough to merit attention by those charged with governance.

Our consideration of internal control was for the limited purpose described in the first paragraph of this section and was not 

designed to identify all deficiencies in internal control that might be material weaknesses or significant deficiencies. Given these 

limitations, during our audit we did not identify any deficiencies in internal control that we consider to be material weaknesses. 

However, material weaknesses may exist that have not been identified.
U.S. TRADE AND DEVELOPMENT AGENCY ANNUAL REPORT 2015 31

Compliance and Other Matters

As part of obtaining reasonable assurance about whether USTDA’s financial statements are free from material misstatement, we 

performed tests of its compliance with certain provisions of laws, regulations, contracts, and grant agreements, noncompliance 

with which could have a direct and material effect on the determination of financial statement amounts. However, providing 

an opinion on compliance with those provisions was not an objective of our audit, and accordingly, we do not express such an 

opinion. The results of our tests of compliance disclosed no instances of noncompliance or other matters that are required to 

be reported herein under Government Auditing Standards or OMB Bulletin No. 15-02.

Purpose of the Other Reporting Required by Government Auditing Standards

The purpose of the communication described in the Other Reporting Required by Government Auditing Standards section is 

solely to describe the scope of our testing of internal control and compliance and the result of that testing, and not to provide 

an opinion on the effectiveness of USTDA’s internal control or compliance. Accordingly, this communication is not suitable 

for any other purpose.

Washington DC

November 13, 2015 
32 U.S. TRADE AND DEVELOPMENT AGENCY ANNUAL REPORT 2015

ASSETS 2015 2014

Intragovernmental:

Fund balance with Treasury (Note 2) $ 106,021,715 $ 99,015,920

Accounts receivable (Note 3) 226,935 —

 Total intragovernmental 106,248,650 99,015,920

Accounts receivable (Note 3) 24,713 —

General property and equipment, net (Note 4) 424,039 506,350

 Total assets $ 106,697,402 $ 99,522,270

LIABILITIES AND NET POSITION

Liabilities

Intragovernmental:

 Accounts payable (Note 5) $ 230,569 $ 410,576

 Other liabilities (Note 5) 26,716 11,262

 Total intragovernmental 257,285 421,838

Accounts payable (Note 5) 7,862,774 7,012,516

Other liabilities (Note 5) 765,898 718,029

 Total liabilities 8,885,957 8,152,383

Net position:

Unexpended appropriations 97,939,604 91,416,951

Cumulative results of operations (128,159) (47,064)

 Total net position 97,811,445 91,369,887

 Total liabilities and net position $ 106,697,402 $ 99,522,270

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these statements. 

U.S. TRADE AND DEVELOPMENT AGENCY 

BALANCE SHEETS 

As of September 30, 2015 and 2014
U.S. TRADE AND DEVELOPMENT AGENCY ANNUAL REPORT 2015 33

U.S. TRADE AND DEVELOPMENT AGENCY 

STATEMENTS OF NET COST 

For the Years Ended September 30, 2015 and 2014

2015 2014

Cost of Operations:

Grants program costs $ 55,329,244 $ 54,392,906

Less earned revenue (1,737,909) (120,000)

 Net cost of operations (Notes 6 and 11) $ 53,591,335 $ 54,272,906

U.S. TRADE AND DEVELOPMENT AGENCY 

STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN NET POSITION 

For the Years Ended September 30, 2015 and 2014

2015 2014

Cumulative results of operations:

Beginning balances $ (47,064) $ 96,845

Budgetary financing sources:

 Appropriations used 53,219,379 53,741,858

Other financing sources:

 Imputed financing 290,861 387,139

 Total financing sources 53,510,240 54,128,997

Net cost of operations (53,591,335) (54,272,906)

Net change (81,095) (143,909)

 Total cumulative results of operations $ (128,159) $ (47,064)

Unexpended appropriations:

Beginning balances $ 91,416,951 $ 90,706,792

Budgetary financing sources:

 Appropriations received 60,000,000 55,073,000

 Appropriations transferred in — 502,753

 Other adjustments (rescissions and 

cancellation of expired funds) (257,968) (1,123,736) 

 Appropriations used (53,219,379) (53,741,858)

 Total budgetary financing sources 6,522,653 710,159

 Total unexpended appropriations 97,939,604 91,416,951

 Net position $ 97,811,445 $ 91,369,887

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these statements. 
34 U.S. TRADE AND DEVELOPMENT AGENCY ANNUAL REPORT 2015

U.S. TRADE AND DEVELOPMENT AGENCY 

STATEMENTS OF BUDGETARY RESOURCES 

For Years Ended September 30, 2015 and 2014

2015 2014

Budgetary resources:

Unobligated balance brought forward, October 1 $ 10,565,282 $ 9,134,717

Recoveries of prior year unpaid obligations 5,615,947 4,970,494

Other changes in unobligated balance (257,968) (620,983)

Unobligated balance from prior year budget authority, net 15,923,261 13,484,228

Appropriations (discretionary and mandatory) 60,000,000 55,073,000

Spending authority from offsetting collections (discretionary and mandatory) 115,781 4,878,208

Total budgetary resources $ 76,039,042 $ 73,435,436

Status of budgetary resources:

Obligations incurred (Note 7) $ 66,646,541 $ 62,870,154

Unobligated balance, end of year:

 Apportioned (Notes 2 and 8) 7,013,391 7,717,314

 Unapportioned (Note 2) 2,379,110 2,847,968

Total unobligated balance, end of year 9,392,501 10,565,282

Total budgetary resources $ 76,039,042 $ 73,435,436

Change in obligated balance:

Unpaid obligations, brought forward, October 1 (gross) $ 93,208,846 $ 88,319,454

Obligations incurred 66,646,541 62,870,154

Outlays (gross) (54,247,209) (53,010,268)

Recoveries of prior year unpaid obligations (5,615,947) (4,970,494)

Obligated balance, end of year 

 Unpaid obligations, end of year (gross) 99,992,231 93,208,846

Uncollected payments: 

 Uncollected customer payments from Federal sources, 

brought forward October 1 (4,758,208) —

Change in uncollected customer payments from Federal sources, end of year 1,395,191 (4,758,208)

Uncollected customer payments from Federal sources, end of year (3,363,017) (4,758,208)

Obligated balance, end of year (net) (Note 2 and 9) $ 96,629,214 $ 88,450,638

Budget Authority and Outlays, Net

Budget authority, gross (discretionary and mandatory) $ 60,115,781 $ 59,951,208

Actual offsetting collections (discretionary and mandatory) (1,510,972) (120,000)

Change in uncollected customer payments from Federal sources 1,395,191 (4,758,208)

Budget authority, net (discretionary and mandatory) $ 60,000,000 $ 55,073,000

Outlays, gross (discretionary and mandatory) 54,247,209 53,010,268

Actual offsetting collections (discretionary and mandatory) (1,510,972) (120,000)

Outlays, net (discretionary and mandatory) 52,736,237 52,890,268

Agency outlays, net (discretionary and mandatory) $ 52,736,237 $ 52,890,268

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these statements. 
U.S. TRADE AND DEVELOPMENT AGENCY ANNUAL REPORT 2015 35

(1) Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

(a) Description of Reporting Entity

USTDA is an independent U.S. government agency administered under the authority of Section 661 of the Foreign 

Assistance Act of 1961, as amended (22 U.S.C. §2421). The Agency is not subject to Federal, state or local income 

tax; therefore no provision for income taxes has been recorded in the accompanying financial statements.

USTDA helps U.S. companies create jobs through export of U.S. goods and services for priority development projects 

in emerging economies. USTDA links U.S. businesses to export opportunities by funding project planning activities, 

pilot projects, and RTMs while creating sustainable infrastructure and economic growth in partner countries.

The organization was established on July 1, 1981 as the Trade and Development Program (TDP) by delegation of 

authority as a component of the International Development Cooperation Agency (IDCA). In 1988, under the Omnibus 

Trade and Competitiveness Act, the organization was designated a separate component agency of IDCA. On October 

28, 1992, Congress enacted the Jobs through Exports Act of 1992, which renamed TDP as the Trade and Development 

Agency and established USTDA as an independent executive branch agency under the foreign policy guidance of 

the Secretary of State.

(b) Basis of Presentation

These financial statements have been prepared to report the financial position, net costs, changes in net position, 

and budgetary resources of USTDA. These financial statements include all activity related to USTDA’s appropriation 

and interagency agreements, whereby USTDA receives transfers from other Federal agencies for use in specific 

regions or sectors.

(c) Budgets and Budgetary Accounting

Congress annually adopts a budget appropriation that provides USTDA with authority to use funds from the U.S. 

Treasury to meet operating and program expense requirements. All revenue received from other sources, except for 

appropriations transferred from other Federal agencies, must be returned to the U.S. Treasury.

(d) Basis of Accounting

USTDA’s Balance Sheets, Statements of Net Cost, and Statements of Changes in Net Position are prepared using 

the accrual basis of accounting. This basis requires recognition of the financial effects of transactions, events, and 

circumstances in the periods when those transactions, events, and circumstances occur, regardless of when cash is 

received or paid. USTDA also uses budgetary accounting to facilitate compliance with legal constraints and to track 

its budget authority at the various stages of execution, including commitments, obligation, and eventual outlay. The 

Statements of Budgetary Resources are prepared using budgetary accounting methods.

The standards used in the preparation of the accompanying financial statements are issued by the Federal Accounting 

Standards Advisory Board, which represent accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America 

for U.S. government entities.

(e) Appropriations and Other Financing Sources

Appropriations are recognized as a financing source at the time they are authorized and apportioned. Appropriations 

used to fund grant activities and administrative expenses are recognized as expenses and revenue as the resultant 

related expenses are incurred.

During FY 2014 and FY 2015, USTDA received an appropriation to be used for program and administrative expenses, 

which are available for obligation through September 30, 2015 and 2016, respectively. These funds were appropriated 

in accordance with Title VI of the Department of State Foreign Operations, and Related Programs Appropriations 

Act, 2014 and Title VI of the Department of State, Foreign Operations, and Related Programs Appropriations Act, 

2015. Beginning with FY 2008 appropriations, USTDA’s appropriation acts allow de-obligated funds that were initially 

obligated prior to their expiration to remain available for re-obligation for an additional 4 years from the date on 

which the availability of such funds would otherwise have expired. In FY 2015, USTDA re-apportioned approximately 

$1.5 million of FY 2010 de-obligations, and $2.2 million of FY 2012 de-obligations.

U.S. TRADE AND DEVELOPMENT AGENCY

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

September 30, 2015 and 2014
36 U.S. TRADE AND DEVELOPMENT AGENCY ANNUAL REPORT 2015

Under section 632(b) of the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961, as amended, 22 U.S.C. 2392(b), the Department of State 

(DOS) has entered into agreements with USTDA, “Aligning Public Finance to Leverage Private Capital Investment: 

U.S.-Africa Clean Energy Finance Initiative (US-ACEF),” to increase access to clean energy for African countries 

by stimulating increased investments in clean energy generating capacity and related infrastructure. In FY 2014, 

USTDA received $5.0 million from DOS under this authority. These funds were obligated as of September 30, 2015.

(f) Fund Balance with Treasury

USTDA does not maintain cash in commercial bank accounts. The U.S. Treasury processes cash receipts and 

disbursements. The balance of funds with Treasury primarily represents appropriated funds that are available to 

pay current liabilities and finance authorized purchase commitments relative to goods or services.

(g) Accounts Receivable

USTDA regards amounts due from other Federal agencies as 100 percent collectible.

Federal accounts receivable consist of amounts due from the Department of State for its reimbursable program. 

Consistent with accounting standards, USTDA records an accounts receivable from the Department of State in 

the same amount as the accounts payable to contractors for services provided under the interagency agreement.

(h) Property and Equipment

Property and equipment is stated at cost, less accumulated depreciation. USTDA capitalizes property and equipment 

with an acquisition cost greater than $5,000 and useful life exceeding one year. Depreciation is calculated using the 

straight-line method and is based on an estimated useful life of 10 years for all assets, except computer equipment 

and software, which is depreciated over 5 years. Leasehold improvements are amortized over the estimated period of 

occupancy or the life of the improvement, whichever is less. Expenditures for repairs and maintenance are charged 

to operating expenses as incurred.

(i) Liabilities

Liabilities represent amounts owed by USTDA as the result of transactions or events that have occurred as of 

fiscal year end. Liabilities covered by budgetary or other resources are those liabilities for which Congress has 

appropriated funds or funding is otherwise available to pay amounts owed. Liabilities not covered by budgetary 

or other resources represent amounts owed in excess of available, congressionally appropriated funds or other 

amounts. The liquidation of liabilities not covered by budgetary or other resources is dependent on future 

congressional appropriations or other funding. There is no certainty that Congress will appropriate funds to 

satisfy such liabilities.

USTDA has no capital leases. Regarding its building lease, the General Services Administration (GSA) entered into 

a lease agreement for USTDA’s rental of building space. USTDA pays GSA a standard-level users’ charge for the 

annual rental. The standard-level users’ charge approximates the commercial rental rates for similar properties. 

For FY 2015, USTDA paid approximately $1.7 million in rent expense.

(j) Undelivered Orders

Undelivered orders represent the amount of orders for goods and services outstanding for which funds have been 

obligated, but the liabilities have not been incurred.

(k) Accrued Leave

Annual leave is accrued as a liability as it is earned. The liability is reduced as leave is taken. Each year, the balance in 

the accrued annual leave account is adjusted to reflect current year pay rates. To the extent that the current or prior 

year appropriations are not available to fund annual leave earned, but not taken, funding will be obtained from future 

appropriations. USTDA’s handling of annual leave earned, but not taken is compliant with established regulations. 

Sick leave and other types of non-vested leave are charged to expense as the leave is used.

(l) Cumulative Results of Operations

Cumulative results of operations represent the difference between net property and equipment and unfunded annual 

leave, plus the net difference between expenses and financing sources since the inception of an activity.

U.S. TRADE AND DEVELOPMENT AGENCY

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

September 30, 2015 and 2014
U.S. TRADE AND DEVELOPMENT AGENCY ANNUAL REPORT 2015 37

(m) Retirement Plan

USTDA’s employees participate in either the Civil Service Retirement System (CSRS) or the Federal Employees’ 

Retirement System (FERS). Employees participating in CSRS contribute 7.0 percent of their gross pay to the plan, 

and USTDA contributes 8.51 percent. The Office of Personnel Management (OPM) has calculated that the cost of 

providing a CSRS benefit is 32.8 percent of an employee’s basic pay. This exceeds the amounts contributed to the 

plan by USTDA and its employees. In accordance with Statement of Federal Financial Accounting Standard (SFFAS) 

No. 5, Accounting for Liabilities of the Federal Government, USTDA reports the full cost of providing pension benefits 

to employees in the CSRS.

On January 1, 1987, FERS went into effect pursuant to Public Law 99-335. Most employees hired after December 31, 

1983 are automatically covered by FERS and the Social Security Act. Employees hired prior to January 1, 1984 could 

elect either to join FERS and the Social Security Act or remain in CSRS. A primary feature of FERS is that it offers 

a savings plan in which USTDA automatically contributes 1 percent of employees’ pay and matches any employee 

contribution up to an additional 4 percent of basic pay. For most employees hired since December 31, 1983, USTDA 

also contributes the employer’s matching share under the Social Security Act. Public Law 112-96, Section 5001, 

the Middle Class Tax Relief and Job Creation Act of 2012, divided FERS participants into two categories, FERS 

employees and FERS-Revised Annuity Employees (FERS-RAE). Employees hired on or after January 1, 2013, with 

some exceptions, are required to contribute 2.3% more to FERS than FERS employees hired prior to January 1, 2013. 

Section 401 of the Bipartisan Budget Act of 2013, made another change to FERS: beginning January 1, 2014, new 

employees (as designated in the statute) pay higher employee contributions, an increase of 1.3 percent of salary 

above the percentage set for FERS-Revised Annuity Employees. Section 8401 of Title 5, United States Codes, was 

amended to add a new definition of a FERS-FRAE employee.

The following chart highlights contribution rates for FERS employees:

FERS 

Retirement System

Agency 

Contribution Rate

Employee 

Contribution Rate

FERS—Regular 13.2% 0.8%

FERS—RAE 11.1% 3.1%

FERS—FRAE 11.1% 4.4%

The total amount of imputed financing for retirement and other post-retirement benefits paid by OPM for FY 2015 

amounted to $290,861 which includes $51,235 for pension cost for CSRS and FERS; $239,347 for the Federal 

Employees Health Benefits (FEHB) Program; and $279 for Federal Employees Group Life Insurance (FEGLI). In 

FY 2014, OPM funded $387,139 for pension, health, and life insurance benefits on behalf of USTDA’s employees. 

These amounts are included in USTDA’s FY 2015 and FY 2014 financial statements, respectively.

The actuarial present value of accumulated benefits, assets available for benefits, and unfunded pension liability of 

CSRS and FERS is not allocated to individual departments and agencies and is therefore not disclosed by USTDA. 

The reporting of these amounts is the responsibility of OPM. USTDA has properly computed this amount and 

recorded a liability for it. 

USTDA paid approximately $638,245 and $592,645 for retirement system coverage for its employees during FY 2015 

and FY 2014, respectively.

(n) Use of Estimates

Management has made certain estimates and assumptions when reporting in these financial statements on assets 

and liabilities. Management’s estimates and assumptions are also used in expenses and note disclosures. Actual 

results could differ from these estimates. Significant estimates underlying the accompanying financial statements 

include depreciable lives of property and equipment with no residual value, and the grants payable accrual. USTDA 

used a ratio of the average of accounts payable to unpaid obligations over a three year period and applied the resulting 

percentage to calculate the current year’s estimate of accounts payable.

U.S. TRADE AND DEVELOPMENT AGENCY

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

September 30, 2015 and 2014
38 U.S. TRADE AND DEVELOPMENT AGENCY ANNUAL REPORT 2015

U.S. TRADE AND DEVELOPMENT AGENCY

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

September 30, 2015 and 2014

(2) Fund Balance with Treasury

Fund Balance with Treasury represents USTDA’s undisbursed budgetary authority and funds to be returned to Treasury at 

September 30, 2015 and 2014, as follows:

2015 2014

Fund balances:

Appropriated funds $ 106,021,715 $ 99,015,920 

 Total $ 106,021,715 $ 99,015,920

Status of fund balance with Treasury:

Unobligated balance:

 Available $ 7,013,391 $ 7,717,314

 Unavailable 2,379,110 2,847,968

Obligated balance not yet disbursed 96,629,214 88,450,638

 Total $ 106,021,715 $ 99,015,920

Unobligated fund balances are either available or not available. Amounts are reported as not available when they are no 

longer legally available to USTDA for obligation. However, balances that are currently reported as not available can change 

over time, because they may be used to increase the amount of the initial obligation to cover additional expenditures 

that relate to these obligations.

(3) Accounts Receivables

Accounts receivable at September 30, 2015 and 2014 consist of the following components:

2015 2014

Accounts receivable—Intragovernmental:

U.S. Department of State $ 226,935 $ — 

Accounts receivable—Public: 24,713 —

 Total $ 251,648 $ —

The accounts receivable from the Department of State related to services provided by the Agency under ACEF. USTDA 

established an accounts receivable from the public in FY 2015 in the amount of $24,713. This amount represents funds owed 

to USTDA from one contractor. There were no amounts owed from the public in FY 2014.
U.S. TRADE AND DEVELOPMENT AGENCY ANNUAL REPORT 2015 39

(4) General Property and Equipment, Net

General property and equipment and related accumulated depreciation balances at September 30, 2015 and 2014 are as 

follows:

September 30, 2015

Class of Asset Service Life

Acquisition

value

Accumulated 

depreciation/ 

amortization

Net 

book value

Computer Equipment 5 years $ 550,516 $ 411,445 $ 139,071

Furniture and Fixtures 10 years 313,052 193,414 119,638

Computer Software 5 years 34,455 13,122 21,333

Other Equipment 10 years 308,333 164,336 143,997

Leasehold Improvements 5 years 113,182 113,182 —

Total property and equipment $ 1,319,538 $ 895,499 $ 424,039

September 30, 2014

Class of Asset Service Life

Acquisition

value

Accumulated 

depreciation/ 

amortization

Net 

book value

Computer Equipment 5 years $ 537,619 $ 346,347 $ 191,272

Furniture and Fixtures 10 years 313,773 175,061 138,712

Computer Software 5 years 15,382 8,643 6,739

Other Equipment 10 years 308,333 138,706 169,627

Leasehold Improvements 5 years 113,182 113,182 —

Total property and equipment $ 1,288,289 $ 781,939 $ 506,350

Depreciation expense for fiscal years ended September 30, 2015 and 2014 is $114,280 and $136,605, respectively.

During FY 2015 and 2014, USTDA purchased property and equipment in the amount of $31,969 and $81,157, respectively. 

In addition, during FY 2015, USTDA retired $720 in fully depreciated property and equipment, representing $0 loss on 

disposals. During FY 2014, USTDA retired $190,342 in property and equipment with related accumulated depreciation 

amounting to $188,828 representing a loss on disposals of $1,514.

U.S. TRADE AND DEVELOPMENT AGENCY

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

September 30, 2015 and 2014
40 U.S. TRADE AND DEVELOPMENT AGENCY ANNUAL REPORT 2015

U.S. TRADE AND DEVELOPMENT AGENCY

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

September 30, 2015 and 2014

(5) Liabilities

Total liabilities represent the sum of liabilities not covered by budgetary resources and those covered by budgetary resources. 

As of September 30, 2015 and 2014, total liabilities were as follows:

2015 2014

Intragovernmental Liabilities:

Liabilities not covered by budgetary resources:

 Worker’s Compensation $ 7,159 $ 11,262

 Unemployment Compensation 19,557 —

Liabilities covered by budgetary resources:

 Accounts payable 230,569 410,576

 Total intragovernmental liabilities $ 257,285 $ 421,838

Other Liabilities:

Liabilities not covered by budgetary resources:

 Accrued annual leave $ 514,240 $ 468,790

 FECA actuarial liability 35,954 73,363

Liabilities covered by budgetary resources:

 Accounts payable 7,862,774 7,012,516

 Accrued payroll 215,704 175,876

 Total other liabilities $ 8,628,672 $ 7,730,545

 Total liabilities $ 8,885,957 $ 8,152,383

All liabilities other than the FECA actuarial liability and the unfunded accrued leave are considered to be current liabilities. 

Approximately $5.4 million of the accounts payable balance as of September 30, 2015 relates to grants payments owed but 

unpaid. This balance was approximately $6.0 million as of September 30, 2014.

(6) Intragovernmental Costs and Exchange Revenue

Program costs for the fiscal years ended September 30, 2015 and 2014 consist of the following:

Grants Program: 2015 2014

Intragovernmental costs $ 2,914,357 $ 2,384,032

Public costs 52,414,887 52,008,874

 Total grant program costs 55,329,244 54,392,906

Intragovernmental earned revenue (1,737,909) (120,000)

 Net grant program costs $ 53,591,335 $ 54,272,906
U.S. TRADE AND DEVELOPMENT AGENCY ANNUAL REPORT 2015 41

U.S. TRADE AND DEVELOPMENT AGENCY

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

September 30, 2015 and 2014

(7) Apportionment Categories of Obligations Incurred

During the years ended September 30, 2015 and 2014, funds were obligated in the following categories:

2015 2014

Category A—funds that are obligated for operating expenses $ 15,442,488 $ 14,043,322

Category B—funds that are obligated for program activities 51,204,053 48,826,832

 Total obligations incurred $ 66,646,541 $ 62,870,154

(8) Unobligated Balances Available—Apportioned

Total available unobligated balance of budget authority at September 30, 2015 and 2014 consists of the following:

2015 2014

Unrestricted no-year funds $ 325,959 $ 325,959

Funds transferred from USAID for feasibility studies and 

related activities in the New Independent States (NIS), 

and Support for East European Democracy (SEED) 46,667 46,667

 Total no-year funds (Note 10) $ 372,626 $ 372,626

Funds transferred from USAID and reapportioned for 

feasibility studies and related activities in Pakistan (ESF) 

and regional Eurasia (AEECA) 1,193,726 1,202,723

USTDA core budget two-year appropriations 5,447,039 6,141,965

 Total unobligated and available appropriations $ 7,013,391 $ 7,717,314

(9) Undelivered Orders

At September 30, 2015 and 2014, undelivered orders balances consisted of the following:

2015 2014

Obligated balance at the end of the period (net) $ 96,629,214 $ 88,450,638

Liabilities covered by budgetary resources (8,309,047) (7,598,968)

 Undelivered orders $ 88,320,167 $ 80,851,670
42 U.S. TRADE AND DEVELOPMENT AGENCY ANNUAL REPORT 2015

U.S. TRADE AND DEVELOPMENT AGENCY

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

September 30, 2015 and 2014

(10) Permanent Indefinite Appropriations

No-year funds at September 30, 2015 and 2014 exist for the following purposes: 

2015 2014

General program activities $ 325,959 $ 325,959

Support for feasibility studies and activities (NIS and SEED) 46,667 46,667

 Total permanent indefinite appropriations $ 372,626 $ 372,626

(11) Reconciliation of Net Cost to Budget

The following schedule reconciles resources available to USTDA to finance operations and the net cost of operating for 

fiscal years ended September 30, 2015 and 2014:

2015 2014

Resources used to finance activities:

Budgetary resources obligated $ 66,646,541 $ 62,870,154

Recoveries of prior years obligations (5,615,947) (4,970,494)

 Transfer of spending authority from offsetting 

collections and obligations (115,781) (4,878,208)

Imputed financing for costs absorbed by others 290,861 387,139

 Total resources used to finance activities $ 61,205,674 $ 53,408,591

Resources used to finance items not part 

of the net cost of operations:

Change in budgetary resources obligated for goods 

and services ordered, but not received $ (6,073,306) $ (4,037,802)

 Resources that finance the acquisition of assets (31,969) (81,157)

 Change in uncollected customer payments 

from Federal sources (1,395,191) 4,758,208

Loss on disposition of assets — 1,514

Total resources used to finance items 

not part of the net cost of operations $ (7,500,466) $ 640,763

Costs that do not require resources:

Depreciation and amortization $ 114,280 $ 136,605

(Increase)/decrease in accounts receivable (251,648) 3,176

Costs that require resources in a future period:

(Decrease)/increase in accrued leave liability 45,450 3,249

 (Decrease)/increase in accrued worker’s compensation liability (4,103) 7,159

 (Decrease)/increase in unemployment compensation liability 19,557 —

 Change in FECA actuarial liability (37,409) 73,363

 Total costs that do not require resources $ (113,873) $ 223,552

 Net cost of operations $ 53,591,335 $ 54,272,906
U.S. TRADE AND DEVELOPMENT AGENCY ANNUAL REPORT 2015 43

U.S. TRADE AND DEVELOPMENT AGENCY 

OTHER INFORMATION 

As of and for the year ended September 30, 2015

INTRAGOVERNMENTAL ASSETS

As of September 30, 2015

Trading Partner Partner # Accounts Receivable

Fund Balance 

with Treasury

Department of the Treasury 20 $ 251,648 $ 106,021,715

Total $ 251,648 $ 106,021,715

INTRAGOVERNMENTAL LIABILITIES

As of September 30, 2015

Trading Partner Partner # 

Accounts 

Payable

Fund to be Returned 

to Treasury

Department of Labor 16 26,716 —

Department of State 19 79,914 —

General Services Administration 47 10,510 —

National Archives and Records Administration 88 99 —

Office of Personnel Management 24 1,119 —

U.S. Foreign Commercial Services 13 134,334 —

Foreign Service Institute 21 2,615 —

Department of Homeland Security 70 1,978 —

Total $ 257,285 $ —

INTRAGOVERNMENTAL EXPENSES 

For the Year Ended September 30, 2015

Trading Partner Partner # Amount

Department of Agriculture 12 $ 3,115

Foreign Service Institute 21 3,475

Department of Homeland Security 70 21,756

Department of Interior (IBC) 14 725,551

Department of State 19 342,541

General Services Administration 47 1,710,920

Government Publishing Office 04 26,262

National Archives and Records Administration 88 1,252

Office of Personnel Management 24 3,705

U.S. Foreign Commercial Services 13 67,418

U.S. Department of Labor 16 8,162

U.S. Postal Service 18 200

Total $ 2,914,357
44 U.S. TRADE AND DEVELOPMENT AGENCY ANNUAL REPORT 2015

Summary of the Financial Statement Audit and Management’s Assurances

TABLE 1: SUMMARY OF FINANCIAL STATEMENT AUDIT:

Audit Opinion Unmodified

Restatement No

Material Weaknesses

Beginning 

Balance New Resolved Consolidated

Ending 

Balance

0 0 0 0 0

Total Material Weaknesses 0 0 0 0 0

TABLE 2: SUMMARY OF MANAGEMENT ASSURANCES:

Effectiveness of Internal Control over Financial Reporting (FMFIA § 2)

Statement of Assurance Unqualified

Material Weaknesses

Beginning 

Balance New Resolved Consolidated Reassessed

Ending 

Balance

0 0 0 0 0 0

Total Material Weaknesses 0 0 0 0 0 0

Effectiveness of Internal Control over Operations (FMFIA § 2)

Statement of Assurance Unqualified

Material Weaknesses

Beginning 

Balance New Resolved Consolidated Reassessed

Ending 

Balance

0 0 0 0 0 0

Total Material Weaknesses 0 0 0 0 0 0

Conformance with Financial Management Systems Requirements (FMFIA § 4)

Statement of Assurance Systems conform to financial management system requirements

Non-Conformances

Beginning 

Balance New Resolved Consolidated Reassessed

Ending 

Balance

0 0 0 0 0 0

Total Non-Conformances 0 0 0 0 0 0

U.S. TRADE AND DEVELOPMENT AGENCY 

OTHER INFORMATION 

As of and for the year ended September 30, 2015
USTDA 2015 ANNUAL REPORT PHOTOGRAPHY

Photographs for the 2015 Annual Report were contributed by the following:

Cover: USTDA Photos 

Pg. 4: Musanze District project site (Courtesy RPA)

Pg. 5: Sabin Ngirirabatanyurwa (Courtesy DC HydroPower)

Pg. 6: Bac Lieu Wind Farm (Courtesy Cong Ly Company)

Pg. 7: Nha Trang, Vietnam (USTDA Photo)

Pg. 8: Bridget Poppy John (USTDA Photo)

Pg. 10–11: Ho Chi Minh City (© Loving Stock Image/Shutterstock.com)

Pg. 12: TPDDL Solar Panels (USTDA Photo)

Pg. 13: TPDDL Customers (Courtesy TPDDL)

Pg. 16: El Dorado International Airport (Courtesy Greater Bogotá Convention Bureau)

Pg. 21: Hasdal Emergency Operations Center (USTDA Photo)
U.S. Trade and Development Agency

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