| USCIS has updated its policy on the acceptance of DNA evidence supporting sibling relationships. This policy memorandum permits officers to suggest and consider direct sibling-to-sibling DNA test results, and provides standards for evaluating DNA results for full siblings and half siblings. This guidance will enhance the agency’s ability to accurately evaluate eligibility for immigration benefits by allowing petitioners and officers to make effective use of recent technological advances in direct sibling DNA test results. When USCIS determines that primary evidence is unavailable or unreliable, it may suggest and accept DNA test results as evidence of a full-sibling or half-sibling relationship in any petition or application for an immigration benefit in which a sibling relationship is required to establish eligibility or may otherwise be relevant to an eligibility determination. USCIS will only consider results of DNA testing conducted by an AABB-accredited lab. USCIS policy on parentage testing remains unchanged. This Policy Memo replaces a 2014 Policy Memo (PM-602-0106, DNA Evidence of Sibling Relationships), and previous guidance in Chapter 21.9(c) of the Adjudicator’s Field Manual (AFM).
| May 2, 2018  Free Acquisition Training From FAI FAI has great training opportunities available for the Federal acquisition workforce especially for CORs. The list of all classes for which FAI has open seats is updated here. As always, FAI's training is free of charge. There is no tuition cost to students or their agencies.  Subcontracting Tools Webinar The Small Business Administration (SBA) welcomes your participation in the "1st Wednesday Virtual Learning Series" on Wednesday, May 02, 2018 at 2:00 pm to 3:00 PM ET. There is no registration required. You may join the conference 10 minutes prior. Step 1: Dial into the conference. Dial-in: 1-877-369-5243 or 1-617-668-3633 Access Code: 0938644## Step 2: Join the conference on your computer by Click Here . Questions? email: sbalearning@sba.gov. Additional contact information: Chris Eischen, Christopher.eischen@sba.gov or (816) 426-4911 or Deborah Crumity, Deborah.Crumity@sba.gov or (309) 782-5734.  Work for Department of Homeland Security (DHS)! On May 21, 2018 DHS is hosting Leadership Interview Day: How the DHS Mission Attracts the Best Procurement Professionals. Federal procurement professionals interested in learning about working at DHS can learn more and register here  Webinar: 3D Printing/Additive Manufacturing Learn how GSA’s Multiple Award Schedule (MAS) 36 3D Printing/Additive Manufacturing Solution can help your agency reduce inventory, simplify the manufacturing process, reverse engineer obsolete parts and equipment, reduce waste, and save money. This 1 hour session will cover: How Government is Using 3DP/AM Technology Solutions; Discover MAS 36 SIN 51 400 3D Printing Solutions and Contractor Capabilities; Understand the Benefits of the GSA Multiple Award Schedules Program; Explore Ordering Options and Flexible Features; Get Tips on using MAS 36 SIN 51 400 to Acquire a Total Integrated Solution. Date: Thursday, May 17 at 2:00 to 3:00 PM ET. Register Now. To get more information, visit gsa.gov/3DPrint or email us at 3DPrint@gsa.gov.  HCaTS Community of Practice launches Speaker Series The Human Capital and Training Solutions (HCaTS) Community of Practice is excited to launch its first Speaker Series event! On Wednesday, May 23rd (2:00-3:00 PM ET), TMA Program project managers will present a webinar, "Best Practices for Technical Evaluation Boards (TEBs)". Learn more about the issues and challenges facing TEBs and what you can do to begin implementing TEB best practices immediately. Email HCaTScommunity@opm.gov to receive a meeting invitation. Visit the HCaTS CoP on the Acquisition Gateway to learn more about the HCaTS Contracts and Human Capital resources! This webinar is for anyone involved in the acquisition process, from subject matter experts writing the requirements, to CORs and Contracting Officers.  Catch Up With the FedPM CoP Registration is now open for the FedPM CoP Spring Meeting! We'll meet via webinar and phone on Wednesday, May 9 at 3:00 PM ET. Hear the latest from our Working Groups and communicate with other CoP members. Register Here |
   Get Your Export Questions Answered in Free Webinar Series Is the world passing you by as competitors expand abroad? Convinced foreign buyers would love your product – if only they knew? Concerned about the cost, complexity or risk of doing international business? We're here to help! During World Trade Month (May), federal agencies are bringing you a FREE four-part webinar series on how to succeed abroad. You'll get valuable insights from our trade professionals. No pre-registration is required. Just go here to get the details. Federal agencies presenting: U.S. Small Business Administration, U.S. Export-Import Bank, and the U.S. Department of Commerce (International Trade Administration, U.S. Census Bureau, and Bureau of Industry and Security). Webinar Schedule Find connection details here. Wednesday, May 9 at 2 p.m. EDT - Go Global: GET STARTED Wednesday, May 16 at 2 p.m. EDT - Go Global: GET PAID Wednesday, May 23 at 2 p.m. EDT - Go Global: PREPARE TO SHIP Wednesday, May 30 at 2 p.m. EDT - Go Global: MANAGE CHALLENGES Here's What You'll Learn Go Global: GET STARTED May 9, 2018 - 2:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m. (EDT) How do I know I am ready to export? Who can help me, and where do I start? How do I target markets and find foreign buyers? Learn how to prepare your company to export, tap the expertise of international trade experts, and connect with foreign buyers. Go Global: GET PAID May 16, 2018 - 2:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m. (EDT) How do I get the money I need to grow and manage cash flow? How do I make sure I get paid and not just ripped off? How do I know if I can trust a foreign business partner? Learn how to get the working capital you need, manage risk, and protect your financial interests in international markets. Go Global: PREPARE TO SHIP May 23, 2018 - 2:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m. (EDT) How do I follow all the rules? What does it look like to sell abroad? How do I ensure a nice profit? Learn about the key U.S. regulations you need to abide by tips for smooth shipping, and getting ahead of foreign market standards or requirements. Go Global: MANAGE CHALLENGES May 30, 2018 - 2:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m. (EDT) How do I keep my product from being copied or pirated? How do I protect my brand? What if my product is held up at customs or blocked? Learn how to protect your intellectual property, get quick help from U.S. embassies, and how the government can assist in resolving unfair trade barriers.  The following Global Agricultural Information Network (GAIN) reports were released on Tuesday, May 1, 2018.EU-28: Criteria to Identify Endocrine Disruptors Published On April 20, 2018, the Commission published Regulation 2018/605, identifying endocrine disrupting properties under Regulation 1107/2009 on plant protection products, in the Official Journal. The criteria to identify endocrine disruptors will apply as of October 20, 2018 to all on-going and future evaluations of active substances used in plant protection products. Meanwhile, the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) and the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) are finalizing a technical Guidance document to implement the criteria for both biocides and pesticides. The Guidance document should become available by June 2018. India: Oilseeds and Products Annual Assuming a normal monsoon season (June-September) and favorable weather conditions, India’s total oilseed production in Marketing Year (MY) 2018/19 (Oct-Sep) is forecast to rise 10 percent to 38.8 million metric tons (MMT) on 38.4 million hectares. Improving oilseed supply conditions in MY 2018/19 will help Indian oilmeal production to rebound to 17.3 MMT from 15.9 MMT estimated in MY 2017/18. Assuming Indian meal prices stay competitive, oilmeal export sales will rise modestly from 2.1 MMT to 2.9 MMT. Concurrently, a widening gap between growing edible oil consumption and limited domestic production will increase vegetable oil imports from 16.3 MMT to 17.4 MMT. Vietnam: MARD Issues HS Codes for Fishery Products This report provides an unofficial translation of Appendix 23 of Circular 24/2017, dated November 15, 2017, of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (MARD) on the promulgation of Harmonized Schedule (HS) codes for specialized import and export goods subject to its management. For the first time, this Appendix details eight-digit HS codes for the list of aquatic animals and aquatic animal products subject to quarantine in Vietnam. No other change was made to the list of aquatic animals and aquatic animal products subject to quarantine provided under MARD’s Circular 26/2016. MARD started officially applying these HS codes to imported aquatic animals and aquatic animal products starting from January 1, 2018 when Circular 24/2017 went into effect. For more information, or for an archive of all FAS GAIN reports, please visit gain.fas.usda.gov. |
