Oklahoma State Trade Expansion Program (STEP) Fund

Oklahoma State Trade Expansion Program (STEP) Fund is sponsored by Oklahoma Department of Commerce. The U. S.

Small Business Administration (SBA) has awarded the Oklahoma Department of Commerce with State Trade Expansion Program (STEP) grant funding to assist eligible small businesses with export development.

STEP Fund - Oklahoma Department of Commerce The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) has awarded the Oklahoma Department of Commerce with State Trade Expansion Program (STEP) grant funding to assist eligible small businesses with export development.

The objective of this program is to increase the overall number of small business exporters and increase their export sales by helping businesses diversify by entering international markets. Due to a lapse in appropriations and a lack of appropriated funds, STEP funds are not available through the Small Business Administration for FY 26. We will continue to monitor the situation and update this page as information becomes available.

SBA is in the process of awarding FY 25 STEP Funds. We are in the process of gathering information from SBA in order to update this page, and the application form for STEP. Oklahoma STEP Application Companies can apply for funds for one or more of these services.

Events each have their own application deadlines. Companies must meet certain eligibility requirements in order to secure funding for trade shows. Grants are funded through a reimbursement process.

Each applicant is encouraged to read the Oklahoma State Trade Expansion Program (STEP) Guidelines and Rules – 2026 before starting your application. These guidelines are specific to the Oklahoma STEP Program. Please review and comply with these Guidelines.

Failure to do so may affect eligibility for current or future STEP funding. The Oklahoma Department of Commerce reserves the right to revise or interpret these Guidelines as necessary to comply with applicable federal requirements and administer the STEP program. OK STEP Guidelines & Rules Read important information and download and complete required documents and SAM registration before starting your application.

Review application steps and instructions To be eligible, an applicant must meet the following requirements: Is organized or incorporated in the United States Is operating in the United States Own an Oklahoma based business which has been in business for not less than 1 year, as of the date on which assistance is provided Meet the SBA definition of a small business ( SBA size standards 13 C. F. R.

Part 121 .) Be an export ready U.S. company Have export products/services that contain a majority of U.S. content (51 percent or higher) Be in good standing with Oklahoma state agencies including the Secretary of State and Oklahoma Tax Commission. Be able to bear the costs associated with trade, including the costs of packing, shipping, freight forwarding, and customs brokers.

Use of Funds + Grant Requirements Eligible Oklahoma businesses may apply to receive reimbursements for a percentage o f pre-approved, allowable, export-related expenses up to the maximum amount. For designated export trade shows, matching grant reimbursement for booth space, booth build** and exhibitor passes are capped at two people per company per show.

**Definition of Booth Build: Additional items for your booth provided by the event’s preferred vendor not included in booth cost. For example, carpet, chairs, table, monitor and electricity will be considered reimbursable items.

Companies receiving grants agree to provide the State with confidential information to document the successes achieved with the help of this grant through quarterly reports requesting information such as: number of leads received, business under negotiation and/or sales achieved and Oklahoma jobs created or retained as a result of the trade activities for which funding was granted.

The State of Oklahoma is required by the SBA, as a condition of its funding for this program, to provide feedback on all activity in the form of progress reports collected quarterly from all STEP awardees through the end of the grant cycle period. Recipients of SBA grants acknowledge that their cooperation in this regard is a contingency of such funding.

The Oklahoma STEP grant is a matching grant reimbursing a percentage of allowable expenses: International or Domestic trade shows (with a minimum of 20% international attendees) (allowable expenses include booth, booth build, registration for up to 2 attendees) Commerce led foreign trade missions (allowable expenses include transportation – airfare, ground transportation and lodging) Participation in export training Approved activities for STEP 13 take place between July 1, 2026, and September 29, 2027.

Export Compliance Training Webinars Maximum Funding Amount Per Funding Cycle Meet with representatives in targeted international markets to build your business abroad by participating in Oklahoma Commerce led trade missions. Promoting your company at trade shows can be an effective way to gain recognition in your industry and to enter into the global market or expand your international trade capabilities.

But not every small business is in the position to coordinate trade show logistics or design and operate their own trade booth. The Oklahoma Department of Commerce makes it possible for Oklahoma companies to partner with the state at trade shows across the globe by exhibiting with the state in the Oklahoma pavilion.

With the help of the Oklahoma STEP Fund, qualified companies can get reimbursed for a percentage of the participation cost up to a cap. In addition, we have a limited amount of funding available to help you exhibit at additional international or domestic trade shows with preapproval. Contact our office for more information.

Application Steps + Instructions The online form asks specific questions about your business and will require you to upload completed forms during the application process. Save time by preparing required information and documents for upload before you start your application. For assistance, contact Kathy Gain at kathy.

gain@okcommerce. gov . Read and review the Application Preparation section.

Review the required forms and registrations checklist Download and complete required forms and the SAM registration. Apply online at the link below. Oklahoma Supplier Portal Information The STEP Grant provides reimbursements for a percentage of pre-approved, allowable, export-related expenses .

In order to participate in the STEP Grant program, if you have not already done so, you must register as a new vendor to the State of Oklahoma , which can be accomplished through the Oklahoma Supplier Portal at vendors. ok. gov .

The Oklahoma Supplier Portal is the new online portal designed to assist suppliers, bidders and payees with self-registration and self-management of organization and persona information . Register as a payee if you or your organization are only receiving payments from the state.

Before you apply, prepare to answer questions about the following: Company contact information STEP activities you are applying for Status as a small business as defined by the SBA .

Information about the company’s locations, ownership, and organization Number of years in business and date of company founding Industry classification code Company employment and sales numbers Details about company exporting activities Whether or not the company has applied for a STEP grant in the past Whether or not your company has been active for at least one year and in good standing with the Oklahoma Tax Commission (OTC) and Oklahoma Secretary of State (SOS).

Required Forms + Registrations Checklist Review the STEP requirements for the activities and services you are applying for. Not all forms are required for some applications.

Oklahoma STEP Application SBA Self-Representation Form Certificate for Competitive Bid Certificate of Liability Insurance LLC Disregarded Entity Verification Form System for Award Management (SAM) Registration Required Forms + System for Award Management (SAMS) Registration Gather and complete these required documents. You will upload completed copies of these files during the application.

SBA Form 1624: Certification Regarding Debarment, Suspension, Ineligibility and Voluntary Exclusion Lower Tier Covered Transactions Download Form 1624 from the Small Business Administration (SBA) and complete prior to applying. SBA Form 1624 Form Download Self-representation as an Eligible Small Business Concern This document states that you are an eligible small business as defined by the Small Business Administration.

Download Vendor Payee form and complete prior to applying. Certificate for Competitive Bid and or Contract (Non-Collusion Certification) This document states that you did not collude with anyone to apply for this grant. Complete by placing your business name in the Supplier Legal Name at top and then sign.

Terms and Conditions for Sole Source Acquisition This document states that we did not go out to bid to do business with you. Complete sections six through 11 and sign the signature page on page six. Certificate of Liability Insurance This document is a copy of your certificate of liability insurance provided by your insurance company.

Contact your insurance agent to obtain a copy. LLC Disregarded Entity Verification Form This document is to be completed ONLY by those businesses that are registered as an LLC. LLC Disregarded Entity Verification Download System for Award Management (SAM) All companies that receive federal funds are required to be registered in the federal System for Award Management (SAM).

There is no cost for registration. System for Award Management (SAM) Complete the required forms before you apply online. You will upload copies of completed forms during the online application process.

Events each have their own application deadlines. Companies must meet certain eligibility requirements in order to secure funding for trade shows. Begin your STEP application online.

Apply for STEP grant funding STEP Grant Program Manager kathy. gain@okcommerce.

gov The Oklahoma Department of Commerce works with the Oklahoma Manufacturing Alliance, U.S. Commercial Service – Oklahoma Export Assistance Center, U.S. Small Business Administration, SBA Oklahoma District Office, Oklahoma Department of Agriculture, and Export-Import Bank of the United States to support Oklahoma companies in exporting to new markets to generate wealth and increase employment in the state.

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