Solicitation of Applications for the Native American Business Enterprise Center (NABEC) Program, 67282-67287 [E7-23128]
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Federal Register / Vol. 72, No. 228 / Wednesday, November 28, 2007 / Notices
4. Final Recommendation
The MBDA National Director makes
the final recommendation to the Grants
Officer regarding the funding of
applications under this competitive
solicitation. MBDA expects to
recommend for funding the highest
ranking application for each project, as
evaluated and recommended by the
review panel and taking into account
oral presentations (as applicable).
However, the MBDA National Director
may not make any selection, or he may
select an application out of rank order
for the following reasons:
(a) A determination that an
application better addresses one or more
of the funding priorities for this
competition. The National Director (or
his/her designee) reserves the right to
conduct one or more site visits (subject
to the availability of funding), in order
to make a better assessment of an
applicant’s capability to achieve the
funding priorities; or
(b) The availability of MBDA funding.
Prior to making a final
recommendation to the Grants Officer,
MBDA may request that the apparent
winner of the competition provide
written clarifications (as necessary)
regarding its application.
Intergovernmental Review:
Applications under this program are not
subject to Executive Order 12372,
‘‘Intergovernmental Review of Federal
Programs.’’
Limitation of Liability: In no event
will MBDA or the Department of
Commerce be responsible for proposal
preparation costs if this program fails to
receive funding or is cancelled because
of other MBDA or Department of
Commerce priorities. All funding
periods are subject to the availability of
funds to support the continuation of the
project and the Department of
Commerce and MBDA priorities.
Publication of this notice does not
obligate the Department of Commerce or
MBDA to award any specific
cooperative agreement or to obligate all
or any part of available funds.
Universal Identifier: Applicants
should be aware that they will be
required to provide a Dun and
Bradstreet Data Universal Numbering
system (DUNS) number during the
application process. See the June 27,
2003 Federal Register notice (68 FR
38402) for additional information.
Organizations can receive a DUNS
number at no cost by calling the
dedicated toll-free DUNS Number
request line at 1–866–705–5711 or by
accessing the Grants.gov Web site at
https://www.Grants.gov.
Department of Commerce Pre-Award
Notification Requirements for Grants
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and Cooperative Agreements: The
Department of Commerce Pre-Award
Notification Requirements for Grants
and Cooperative Agreements contained
in the Federal Register notice of
December 30, 2004 (69 FR 78389) are
applicable to this solicitation.
Paperwork Reduction Act: This
document contains collection-ofinformation requirements subject to the
Paperwork Reduction Act (PRA). The
use of Standard Forms 424, 424A, 424B,
SF–LLL, and CD–346 have been
approved by OMB under the respective
control numbers 0348–0043, 0348–0044,
0348–0040, 0348–0046, and 0605–0001.
Notwithstanding any other provisions of
law, no person is required to respond to,
nor shall any person be subject to a
penalty for failure to comply with a
collection of information subject to the
Paperwork Reduction Act unless that
collection displays a currently valid
OMB Control Number.
Executive Order 12866: This notice
has been determined to be not
significant for purposes of E.O. 12866.
Administrative Procedure Act/
Regulatory Flexibility Act: Prior notice
and an opportunity for public comment
are not required by the Administrative
Procedure Act for rules concerning
public property, loans, grants, benefits,
or contracts (5 U.S.C. 533(a)(2)). Because
notice and opportunity for comment are
not required pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 533 or
any other law, the analytical
requirements of the Regulatory
Flexibility Act (5 U.S.C 601 et seq.) are
inapplicable. Therefore, a regulatory
flexibility analysis is not required and
has not been prepared.
Dated: November 21, 2007.
Ronald N. Langston,
National Director, Minority Business
Development Agency.
[FR Doc. E7–23129 Filed 11–27–07; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510–21–P
DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
Minority Business Development
Agency
[Docket No.: 071121729–7734–01]
Solicitation of Applications for the
Native American Business Enterprise
Center (NABEC) Program
Minority Business
Development Agency, Commerce.
ACTION: Notice.
AGENCY:
SUMMARY: In accordance with 15 U.S.C.
1512 and Executive Order 11625, the
Minority Business Development Agency
(MBDA) is soliciting competitive
applications from organizations to
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operate a Native American Business
Enterprise Center (NABEC) in the
locations and geographical service areas
specified in this notice. The NABEC
operates through the use of business
consultants and provides a range of
business consulting and technical
assistance services directly to Native
American- and other eligible minorityowned businesses. Responsibility for
ensuring that applications in response
to this competitive solicitation are
complete and received by MBDA on
time is the sole responsibility of the
applicant. Applications submitted must
be to operate a NABEC and to provide
business consultation services to
eligible clients. Applications that do not
meet these requirements will be
rejected. This is not a grant program to
help start or to further an individual
business.
DATES: The closing date for receipt of
applications is January 11, 2008 at 5
p.m. Eastern Standard Time (EST).
Completed applications must be
received by MBDA at the address below
for paper submissions or at https://
www.Grants.gov for electronic
submissions. The due date and time is
the same for electronic submissions as
it is for paper submissions. The date
that applications will be deemed to have
been submitted electronically shall be
the date and time received at
Grants.gov. Applicants should save and
print the proof of submission they
receive from Grants.gov. Applications
received after the closing date and time
will not be considered. Anticipated time
for processing is seventy-five (75) days
from the close of the competition
period. MBDA anticipates that awards
under this notice will be made with a
start date of April 1, 2008.
Pre-Application Conference: In
connection with this solicitation, a preapplication teleconference will be held
on December 11, 2007 at 1:00 p.m.
(EST). Participants must register at least
24 hours in advance of the
teleconference and may participate in
person or by telephone. Please visit the
MBDA Internet Portal at https://
www.mbda.gov (MBDA Portal) or
contact an MBDA representative listed
below for registration instructions.
ADDRESSES: (1a) Paper Submission—If
Mailed: If the application is sent by
postal mail or overnight delivery service
by the applicant or its representative,
one (1) signed original plus two (2)
copies of the application must be
submitted. Completed application
packages must be mailed to: Office of
Business Development—NABEC
Program, Office of Executive Secretariat,
HCHB, Room 5063, Minority Business
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Development Agency, U.S. Department
of Commerce, 1401 Constitution
Avenue, NW., Washington, DC 20230.
Applicants are advised that MBDA’s
receipt of mail sent via the United States
Postal Service may be substantially
delayed or suspended in delivery due to
security measures. Applicants may
therefore wish to use a guaranteed
overnight delivery service. Department
of Commerce delivery policies for
overnight delivery services require all
packages to be sent to the address above.
(1b) Paper Submission—If HandDelivered: If the application is handdelivered by the applicant or by its
representative, one (1) signed original
plus two (2) copies of the application
must be delivered to: U.S. Department
of Commerce, Minority Business
Development Agency, Office of Business
Development—NABEC Program
(extension 1940), HCHB—Room 1874,
Entrance #10, 15th Street, NW. (between
Pennsylvania and Constitution
Avenues), Washington, DC. MBDA will
not accept applications that are
submitted by the deadline, but that are
rejected due to the applicant’s failure to
adhere to Department of Commerce
protocol for hand-deliveries.
(2) Electronic Submission: Applicants
are encouraged to submit their proposal
electronically at https://www.Grants.gov.
Electronic submissions should be made
in accordance with the instructions
available at Grants.gov (see https://
www.grants.gov/forapplicants for
detailed information). MBDA strongly
recommends that applicants not wait
until the application deadline date to
begin the application process through
Grants.gov as, in some cases, the process
for completing an online application
may require 3–5 working days.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For
further information or for an application
package, please visit MBDA’s Minority
Business Internet Portal at https://
www.mbda.gov. Paper applications may
also be obtained by contacting the
MBDA Office of Business Development
or the MBDA National Enterprise Center
(NEC) in the region in which the
NABEC will be located (see below
Agency Contacts). In addition, Standard
Forms (SF) may be obtained by
accessing https://www.whitehouse.gov/
omb/grants or https://www.grants.gov
and Department of Commerce (CD)
forms may be accessed at https://
www.doc.gov/forms.
Agency Contacts:
1. MBDA Office of Business
Development, 1401 Constitution
Avenue, NW., Room 5075, Washington,
DC 20230. Contact: Efrain Gonzalez,
Chief, 202–482–1940.
2. MBDA Chicago National Enterprise
Center (CNEC), 55 E. Monroe Street,
Suite 2810, Chicago, Illinois 60603. This
region covers the states of Illinois,
Indiana, Iowa, Michigan, Minnesota,
Missouri, Nebraska, Ohio, and
Wisconsin. Contact: Eric Dobyne,
Regional Director, 312–353–0182.
3. Dallas National Enterprise Center
(DNEC), 1100 Commerce Street, Room
726, Dallas, Texas 75242. This region
covers the states of Arkansas, Colorado,
Louisiana, Montana, New Mexico, North
Dakota, Oklahoma, South Dakota, Texas,
Utah and Wyoming. Contact: John F.
Iglehart, Regional Director, 214–767–
8001.
4. San Francisco National Enterprise
Center (SFNEC), 221 Main Street, Room
NABEC name
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The NABEC project must be
physically located within the applicable
geographical service area.
Electronic Access: A link to the full
text of the Announcement of Federal
Funding Opportunity (FFO) for this
solicitation may be accessed at: https://
www.Grants.gov, https://www.mbda.gov,
or by contacting the appropriate MBDA
representative identified above. The
FFO contains a full and complete
description of the requirements under
the NABEC Program. In order to receive
proper consideration, applicants must
comply with all information and
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1280, San Francisco, California 94105.
This region covers the states of Alaska,
America Samoa, Arizona, California,
Hawaii, Idaho, Nevada, Oregon and
Washington. Contact: Linda M.
Marmolejo, Regional Director, 415–744–
3001.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Background: The NABEC Program is a
key component of MBDA’s overall
minority business development
assistance program and promotes the
growth and competitiveness of Native
American and eligible minority-owned
businesses. NABEC operators leverage
project staff and professional
consultants to provide a wide range of
direct business assistance services to
Native American, tribal entities and
eligible minority-owned firms. NABEC
services include, but are not limited to,
initial consultations and assessments,
business technical assistance, and
access to Federal and non-Federal
procurement and financing
opportunities.
MBDA currently funds a network of
eight NABEC projects located
throughout the United States. Pursuant
to this notice, competitive applications
for new three-year awards are being
solicited for the five NABEC projects set
forth below. MBDA intends to hold a
separate award competition during FY
2008 for the remaining three NABEC
projects, due to their current award
cycles which end on July 31, 2008 or
August 31, 2008.
Geographical Service Areas: MBDA is
soliciting competitive applications from
organizations to operate a NABEC and
to provide services in the following
geographical service areas:
Geographical service area
Arizona NABEC ........................................................................................
California NABEC .....................................................................................
Minnesota/Iowa NABEC ...........................................................................
North/South Dakota NABEC ....................................................................
Northwest NABEC ....................................................................................
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State of Arizona.
State of California.
States of Minnesota & Iowa.
States of North Dakota & South Dakota.
States of Washington, Oregon & Idaho.
requirements contained in the FFO.
Applicants will be able to access,
download and submit electronic grant
applications for the NABEC Program
through https://www.Grants.gov. MBDA
strongly recommends that applicants
not wait until the application deadline
date to begin the application process
through Grants.gov as in some cases the
process for completing an online
application may require additional time
(e.g., 3–5 working days). The date that
applications will be deemed to have
been submitted electronically shall be
the date and time received at
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Grants.gov. Applicants should save and
print the proof of submission they
receive from Grants.gov. Applications
received after the closing date and time
will not be considered.
Funding Priorities: Preference may be
given during the selection process to
applications which address the
following MBDA funding priorities:
(a) Proposals that include
performance goals that exceed by 10%
or more the minimum performance goal
requirements in the FFO;
(b) Applicants who demonstrate an
exceptional ability to identify and work
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towards the elimination of barriers
which limit the access of minority
businesses to markets and capital;
(c) Applicants who demonstrate an
exceptional ability to identify and work
with Native American firms, tribal
entities or minority firms seeking to
obtain large-scale contracts and/or
insertion into supply chains with
institutional customers;
(d) Proposals that utilize fee for
service models and those that use
innovative approaches to charging and
collecting fees from clients;
(e) Proposals that take a regional
approach in providing services to
eligible clients; or
(f) Proposals from applicants with
pre-existing or established operations in
the identified geographic service area(s).
Funding Availability: MBDA
anticipates that a total of approximately
$1,116,500 will be available in each of
FYs 2008 through 2010 to fund financial
April 1, 2008 through March 31, 2009
Project name
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(1) Arizona NABEC ..
(2) California NABEC
(3) Minnesota/Iowa
NABEC .................
(4)North/South Dakota NABEC .........
(5) Northwest
NABEC .................
Total Cost
($)
Federal
share ($)
April 1, 2009 through March 31, 2010
Non-federal share
($) (10%
min.)
Total cost
($)
Federal
share ($)
Non-federal share
($) (10%
min.)
April 1, 2010 through March 31, 2011
Total cost
($)
Federal
share ($)
Non-federal share
($) (10%
min.)
$225,500
330,500
$203,000
297,500
$22,500
33,000
$225,500
330,500
$203,000
297,500
$22,500
33,000
$225,500
330,500
$203,000
297,500
$22,500
33,000
222,300
200,000
22,300
222,300
200,000
22,300
222,300
200,000
22,300
225,500
203,000
22,500
225,500
203,000
22,500
225,500
203,000
22,500
236,700
213,000
23,700
236,700
213,000
23,700
236,700
213,000
23,700
Applicants must submit project plans
and budgets for each of the three (3)
program years. Projects will be funded
for no more than one year at a time.
Project proposals accepted for funding
will not compete for funding in
subsequent budget periods within the
approved award period. However,
operators that fail to achieve a
‘‘satisfactory’’ or better performance
rating for the preceding program year
may be denied second- or third-year
funding (as the case may be).
Recommendations for second- and
third-year funding are generally
evaluated by MBDA based on a midyear performance rating and/or
combination of mid-year and
cumulative third quarter performance
(e.g., April 1–January 31) performance
rating. In making such funding
recommendations, MBDA and the
Department of Commerce will consider
the facts and circumstances of each
case, such as but not limited to market
conditions, most recent performance of
the operator and other mitigating
circumstances.
Applicants are hereby given notice
that FY 2008 funds have not yet been
appropriated for the NABEC program.
Accordingly, MBDA issues this notice
subject to the appropriations made
available under the current continuing
resolution, H.J. Res. 52, ‘‘Making
continuing appropriations for the fiscal
year 2008, and for other purposes,’’
Public Law 110–92, as amended by H.R.
3222, Public Law 110–116. In no event
will MBDA or the Department of
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assistance awards for the five NABEC
projects referenced in this competitive
solicitation. The total award period for
awards made under this competitive
solicitation is anticipated to be three
years and all awards are expected to be
made with a start date of April 1, 2008.
The anticipated amount of the financial
assistance award for each NABEC
project (including the minimum 10%
non-federal cost share) is as follows:
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Commerce be responsible for proposal
preparation costs if this program fails to
receive funding or is cancelled because
of other MBDA or Department of
Commerce priorities.
Authority: 15 U.S.C. Section 1512 and
Executive Order 11625.
Catalog of Federal Domestic
Assistance (CFDA): 11.801, Native
American Business Enterprise Centers.
Eligibility: For-profit entities
(including but not limited to soleproprietorships, partnerships, and
corporations), non-profit organizations,
state and local government entities,
American Indian Tribes, and
educational institutions are eligible to
operate a NABEC.
Program Description: MBDA is
soliciting competitive applications from
organizations to operate Native
American Business Enterprise Centers
(NABEC) (formerly known as Native
American Business Development
Centers). The NABEC will operate
through the use of trained professional
business consultants who will assist
Native American and other minority
entrepreneurs and tribal entities through
direct client engagements.
Entrepreneurs eligible for assistance
under the NABEC Program are Native
Americans (including Alaska Natives,
Alaska Native Corporations and tribal
entities), Eskimos, African Americans,
Puerto Ricans, Spanish-speaking
Americans, Aleuts, Asian Pacific
Americans, Asian Indians and Hasidic
Jews. References throughout this notice
regarding a NABEC’s provision of
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services and assistance to Native
American clients also includes the
eligible non-Native American clients
listed in the preceding sentence. No
service may be denied to any member of
the eligible groups listed above.
The NABEC Program generally
requires project staff to provide
standardized business assistance
services directly to eligible Native
American clients, with an emphasis on
those firms with $500,000 or more in
annual revenues and/or those eligible
firms with ‘‘rapid growth potential’’
(‘‘Strategic Growth Initiative’’ or ‘‘SGI’’
firms); to develop and maintain a
network of strategic partnerships; to
provide collaborative consulting
services with MBDA and other MBDA
funded programs and strategic partners;
and to provide referral services (as
necessary) for client transactions.
NABEC operators will assist Native
American clients in accessing federal
and non-federal contracting and
financing opportunities that result in
demonstrable client outcomes. Specific
work requirements and performance
metrics are used by MBDA to evaluate
each project and are a key component of
the NABEC program.
The NABEC Program also
incorporates an entrepreneurial
approach to building market stability
and improving quality of services
delivered. This strategy expands the
reach of the NABECs by requiring
project operators to develop and build
upon strategic alliances with public and
private sector partners, as a means of
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serving Native American and minorityowned firms within each NABEC’s
geographical service area. The NABEC
Program is also designed to leverage
MBDA resources including but not
limited to: MBDA Office of Native
American Business Development;
MBDA Office of Business Development;
MBDA National Enterprise Centers;
MBDA Business Internet Portal; and
MBDA’s network of Minority Business
Opportunity Centers (MBOCs), Minority
Business Enterprise Centers (MBECs),
and other NABECs. NABEC operators
are required to attend a variety of MBDA
training programs designed to increase
operational efficiencies and the
provision of value-added client services.
NABEC operators are generally
required to provide the following four
client services: (1) Client Assessment—
this is a standardized service activity
that includes identifying the client’s
immediate and long-term needs and
establishes a projected growth track; (2)
Strategic Business Consulting—this
involves providing intensive business
consulting services that can be delivered
as personalized consulting or group
consulting; (3) Access to Capital—this
assistance is designed to secure the
financial capital necessary for client
growth, and (4) Access to Markets—this
involves assisting clients to identify and
access opportunities for increased sales
and revenues.
Please refer to the FFO pertaining to
this competitive solicitation for a full
and complete description of the
application and programmatic
requirements under the NABEC
Program.
Match Requirements: The NABEC
Program requires a minimum nonfederal cost share of 10%, which must
be reflected in the proposed project
budget. Non-federal cost share is the
portion of the project cost not borne by
the Federal Government. Applicants
must satisfy the non-federal cost sharing
requirements in one or more of the
following four means or any
combination thereof: (1) Client fees; (2)
applicant cash contributions; (3)
applicant in-kind (i.e., non-cash)
contributions; or (4) third-party in-kind
contributions. The NABEC may but is
not required to charge client fees for
services rendered, although MBDA
encourages the applicant to implement
a fee-for-service program. Client fees (if
imposed) must be used towards meeting
non-federal cost share requirements and
must be used in furtherance of the
program objectives. Applicants will be
awarded up to five bonus points to the
extent that the proposed project budget
includes a non-federal cost share
contribution, measured as a percentage
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15:18 Nov 27, 2007
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of the overall project budget, exceeding
10% (see Evaluation Criterion below).
Evaluation Criterion: Proposals will
be evaluated and applicants will be
selected based on the below evaluation
criterion. The maximum total number of
points that an application may receive
is 105, including the bonus points for
exceeding the minimum required nonfederal cost sharing, except when oral
presentations are made by applicants. If
oral presentations are made (see below:
Oral Presentation—Optional), the
maximum total of points that can be
earned is 115. The number of points
assigned to each evaluation criterion
will be determined on a competitive
basis by the MBDA review panel based
on the quality of the application with
respect to each evaluation criterion.
1. Applicant Capability (40 points)
Proposals will be evaluated with
respect to the applicant’s experience
and expertise in providing the work
requirements listed. Specifically,
proposals will be evaluated as follows:
(a) Community—Experience in and
knowledge of the Native American
community, Native American tribal
entities and minority business sector,
and strategies for enhancing its growth
and expansion; particular emphasis
shall be on expanding SGI firms and
tribal entities. Consideration will be
given as to whether the applicant has a
physical presence in the geographic
service area at the time of its application
(4 points);
(b) Business Consulting—Experience
in and knowledge of business
consulting with respect to Native
American and minority firms and tribal
entities, with emphasis on SGI firms in
the geographic service area (5 points);
(c) Financing—Experience in and
knowledge of the preparation and
formulation of successful financial
transactions, with an emphasis on the
geographic service area (5 points);
(d) Procurements and Contracting—
Experience in and knowledge of the
public and private sector contracting
opportunities for Native American
entities and minority businesses, as well
as demonstrated expertise in assisting
clients into supply chains (5 points);
(e) Financing Networks—Resources
and professional relationships within
the corporate, banking and investment
community that may be beneficial to
Native American entities and minorityowned firms (5 points);
(f) Establishment of a Self-Sustainable
Service Model—Summary plan to
establish a self-sustainable model for
continued services to the Native
American and MBE communities
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beyond the three-year MBDA award
period (3 points);
(g) MBE Advocacy—Experience and
expertise in advocating on behalf of
Native American communities, Native
American tribal entities and minority
businesses, both as to specific
transactions in which a minority
business seeks to engage and as to broad
market advocacy for the benefit of the
minority community at large (3 points);
and
(h) Key Staff—Assessment of the
qualifications, experience and proposed
role of staff that will operate the
NABEC. In particular, an assessment
will be made to determine whether
proposed key staff possesses the
expertise in utilizing information
systems and the ability to successfully
deliver program services. At a minimum
the applicant must identify a proposed
project director (10 points).
2. Resources (20 points)
The applicant’s proposal will be
evaluated as followed:
(a) Resources—Resources (not
included as part of the non-federal cost
share) that will be used in implementing
the program, including but not limited
to existing prior and/or current data lists
that will serve in fostering immediate
success for the NABEC (8 points);
(b) Location—Assessment of the
applicant’s strategic rationale for the
proposed physical location of the
NABEC. Applicant is encouraged to
establish a location for the NABEC that
is in a building which is separate and
apart from any of the applicant’s
existing offices in the geographic service
area (2 points);
(c) Partners—How the applicant plans
to establish and maintain the network of
strategic partners and the manner in
which these partners will support the
NABEC in meeting program
performance goals (5 points); and
(d) Equipment—How the applicant
plans to satisfy the NABEC information
technology requirements, including
computer hardware, software
requirements and network map (5
points).
3. Techniques and Methodologies (20
points)
The applicant’s proposal will be
evaluated as follows:
(a) Performance Measures—For each
program year, the manner in which the
applicant relates each performance
measure to the financial information
and market resources available in the
geographic service area (including
existing client list); how the applicant
will create NABEC brand recognition
(marketing plan); and how the applicant
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will satisfy program performance goals.
In particular, emphasis may be placed
on the manner in which the applicant
matches NABEC performance goals with
client service hours and how it accounts
for existing market conditions in its
strategy to achieve such goals (10
points);
(b) Start-up Phase—How the
applicant will commence NABEC
operations within the initial 30-day
period. The NABEC shall have thirty
(30) days to become fully operational
after an award is made (3 points); and
(c) Work Requirement Execution
Plan—The applicant will be evaluated
on how effectively and efficiently staff
time will be used to achieve the work
requirements, particularly with respect
to periods beyond the start-up phase (7
points).
4. Proposed Budget and Budget
Narrative (20 points)
The applicant’s proposal will be
evaluated as follows:
(a) Reasonableness, Allowability and
Allocability of Proposed Program Costs.
All of the proposed program costs
expenditures should be discussed and
the budget line-item narrative must
match the proposed budget. Fringe
benefits and other percentage item
calculations should match the proposed
budget line-item and narrative (5
points);
(b) Non-Federal Cost Share. The
required 10% non-Federal share must
be adequately addressed and properly
documented, including but not limited
to how client fees (if proposed) will be
used by the applicant in meeting the
non-federal cost-share (5 points); and
(c) Performance-Based Budgeting. The
extent to which the line-item budget
and budget narrative relate to the
accomplishment of the NABEC work
requirements and performance measures
(i.e., performance-based budgeting) (10
points).
Bonus for Non-Federal Cost Sharing
(maximum of 5 points): Proposals with
non-federal cost sharing exceeding 10%
of the total project costs will be awarded
bonus points on the following scale:
more than 10%–less than 15% = 1
point; 15% or more–less than 20% = 2
points; 20% or more–less than 25% = 3
points; 25% or more–less than 30% = 4
points; and 30% or more = 5 points.
Non-federal cost sharing of at least 10%
is required under the NABEC Program.
Non-federal cost sharing is the portion
of the total project cost not borne by the
Federal Government and may be met by
the applicant in any one or more of the
following four means (or a combination
thereof): (1) Client fees (encouraged but
not mandatory); (2) cash contributions;
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15:18 Nov 27, 2007
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(3) non-cash applicant contributions; or
(4) third party in-kind contributions.
5. Oral Presentation—Optional (10
points)
Oral presentations are optional and
held only when requested by MBDA.
This action may be initiated for the top
two (2) ranked applications for each
project and will be applied on a
consistent basis for each project
competition. Oral presentations will be
used to establish a final evaluation and
ranking.
The applicant’s presentation will be
evaluated as to the extent to which the
presentation demonstrates:
(a) How the applicant will effectively
and efficiently assist MBDA in the
accomplishment of its mission (2
points);
(b) Business operating priorities
designed to manage a successful NABEC
(2 points);
(c) A management philosophy that
achieves an effective balance between
micromanagement and complete
autonomy for its Project Director (2
points);
(d) Robust search criteria for the
identification of a Project Director (1
point);
(e) Effective employee recruitment
and retention policies and procedures (1
point); and
(f) A competitive and innovative
approach to exceeding performance
requirements (2 points).
Review and Selection Process:
1. Initial Screening
Prior to the formal paneling process,
each application will receive an initial
screening to ensure that all required
forms, signatures and documentation
are present. An application will be
considered non-responsive and will not
be evaluated by the review panel if it is
received after the closing date for
receipt of applications, the applicant
fails to submit an original, signed Form
SF–424 by the application closing date
(paper applications only), or the
application does not provide for the
operation of a NABEC. Other
application deficiencies may be
accounted for through point deductions
during panel review.
2. Panel Review
Each application will receive an
independent, objective review by a
panel qualified to evaluate the
applications submitted. The review
panel will consist of at least 3 persons,
all of whom will be full-time federal
employees and at least one of whom
will be an MBDA employee, who will
review the applications for a specified
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project based on the above evaluation
criterion. Each reviewer shall evaluate
and provide a score for each proposal.
Each project review panel (through the
panel Chairperson) shall provide the
MBDA National Director
(Recommending Official) with a ranking
of the applications based on the average
of the reviewers’ scores and shall also
provide a recommendation regarding
funding of the highest scoring
application.
3. Oral Presentation—Upon MBDA
Request
MBDA may invite the two (2) topranked applicants for each project
competition to develop and provide an
oral presentation. If an oral presentation
is requested, the affected applicants will
receive a formal communication (via
standard mail, e-mail or fax) from
MBDA indicating the time and date for
the presentation. In-person
presentations are not mandatory but are
encouraged; telephonic presentations
are acceptable. Applicants will be asked
to submit a PowerPoint presentation (or
equivalent) to MBDA that addresses the
oral presentation criteria set forth above.
The presentation must be submitted at
least 24 hours before the scheduled date
and time of the presentation. The
presentation will be made to the MBDA
National Director (or his/her designee)
and up to three senior MBDA staff who
did not serve on the original review
panel. The oral panel members may ask
follow-up questions after the
presentation. MBDA will provide the
teleconference dial-in number and pass
code. Each applicant will present to
MBDA staff only; competitors are not
permitted to listen (and/or watch) other
presentations.
All costs pertaining to this
presentation shall be borne by the
applicant. NABEC award funds may not
be used as a reimbursement for this
presentation. MBDA will not accept any
requests or petitions for reimbursement.
The oral panel members shall score
each presentation in accordance with
the oral presentation criterion provided
above. An average score shall be
compiled and added to the score of the
original panel review.
4. Final Recommendation
The MBDA National Director makes
the final recommendation to the Grants
Officer regarding the funding of
applications under this competitive
solicitation. MBDA expects to
recommend for funding the highest
ranking application for each project, as
evaluated and recommended by the
review panel and taking into account
oral presentations (as applicable).
E:\FR\FM\28NON1.SGM
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ebenthall on PRODPC61 with NOTICES
Federal Register / Vol. 72, No. 228 / Wednesday, November 28, 2007 / Notices
However, the MBDA National Director
may not make any selection, or he may
select an application out of rank order
for the following reasons:
(a) A determination that an
application better addresses one or more
of the funding priorities for this
competition. The National Director (or
his/her designee) reserves the right to
conduct one or more site visits (subject
to the availability of funding), in order
to make a better assessment of an
applicant’s capability to achieve the
funding priorities; or
(b) The availability of MBDA funding.
Prior to making a final
recommendation to the Grants Officer,
MBDA may request that the apparent
winner of the competition provide
written clarifications (as necessary)
regarding its application.
Intergovernmental Review:
Applications under this program are not
subject to Executive Order 12372,
‘‘Intergovernmental Review of Federal
Programs.’’
Limitation of Liability: In no event
will MBDA or the Department of
Commerce be responsible for proposal
preparation costs if this program fails to
receive funding or is cancelled because
of other MBDA or Department of
Commerce priorities. All funding
periods are subject to the availability of
funds to support the continuation of the
project and the Department of
Commerce and MBDA priorities.
Publication of this notice does not
obligate the Department of Commerce or
MBDA to award any specific
cooperative agreement or to obligate all
or any part of available funds.
Universal Identifier: Applicants
should be aware that they will be
required to provide a Dun and
Bradstreet Data Universal Numbering
System (DUNS) number during the
application process. See the June 27,
2003 Federal Register notice (68 FR
38402) for additional information.
Organizations can receive a DUNS
number at no cost by calling the
dedicated toll-free DUNS Number
request line at 1–866–705–5711 or by
accessing the Grants.gov Web site at
https://www.Grants.gov.
Department of Commerce Pre-Award
Notification Requirements for Grants
and Cooperative Agreements: The
Department of Commerce Pre-Award
Notification Requirements for Grants
and Cooperative Agreements contained
in the Federal Register notice of
December 30, 2004 (69 FR 78389) are
applicable to this solicitation.
Paperwork Reduction Act: This
document contains collection-ofinformation requirements subject to the
Paperwork Reduction Act (PRA). The
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15:18 Nov 27, 2007
Jkt 214001
use of Standard Forms 424, 424A, 424B,
SF–LLL, and CD–346 have been
approved by OMB under the respective
control numbers 0348–0043, 0348–0044,
0348–0040, 0348–0046, and 0605–0001.
Notwithstanding any other provisions of
law, no person is required to respond to,
nor shall any person be subject to a
penalty for failure to comply with a
collection of information subject to the
Paperwork Reduction Act unless that
collection displays a currently valid
OMB Control Number.
Executive Order 12866: This notice
has been determined to be not
significant for purposes of E.O. 12866.
Administrative Procedure Act/
Regulatory Flexibility Act: Prior notice
and an opportunity for public comment
are not required by the Administrative
Procedure Act for rules concerning
public property, loans, grants, benefits,
or contracts (5 U.S.C. 533(a)(2)). Because
notice and opportunity for comment are
not required pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 533 or
any other law, the analytical
requirements of the Regulatory
Flexibility Act (5 U.S.C. 601 et seq.) are
inapplicable. Therefore, a regulatory
flexibility analysis is not required and
has not been prepared.
Dated: November 21, 2007.
Ronald N. Langston,
National Director, Minority Business
Development Agency.
[FR Doc. E7–23128 Filed 11–27–07; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510–21–P
DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric
Administration
RIN 0648–XE09
Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic
Zone Off Alaska; Groundfish Observer
Program; Notice of Observer Program
Public Workshop
National Marine Fisheries
Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and
Atmospheric Administration (NOAA),
Commerce.
ACTION: Notification of public workshop.
AGENCY:
SUMMARY: NMFS will present a public
workshop on the implementation of
new Alaska groundfish observer
sampling protocols for fishery
participants and other interested parties.
At the workshop, NMFS will provide an
overview of the changes to observer
sampling protocols, discuss alterations
made in the observer electronic data
submission and communications
system, and answer questions. NMFS is
conducting this public workshop to
provide assistance to fishery
PO 00000
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Fmt 4703
Sfmt 4703
67287
participants in understanding the
sampling protocols which will be used
by groundfish observers in 2008 and
beyond.
The workshop will be held on
Tuesday, December 11, 2007, from 10
a.m. to 1 p.m. Pacific standard time.
ADDRESSES: The workshop will be held
at the Nordic Heritage Museum, 3014
NW 67th Street, Seattle, WA 98117.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Jennifer Ferdinand, 206–526–4076 or
Jennifer.Ferdinand@noaa.gov.
DATES:
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Groundfish fisheries in waters of the
Gulf of Alaska (GOA) and Bering Sea
and Aleutian Islands management area
(BSAI) are managed under quotas set
annually for groundfish species and for
several other species that the groundfish
fishery is prohibited from retaining.
These quotas may be apportioned
among areas, seasons, gear types,
processor and catcher vessel sectors,
cooperatives, and individual fishermen.
Both retained and discarded catch are
credited against these annual quotas,
which generally are based on stock
assessments generated principally by
NMFS and on recommendations from
the North Pacific Fishery Management
Council. NMFS’ Alaska Region is
responsible for monitoring the progress
of fisheries toward attainment of these
quotas and allocations, and for closing
the fisheries when quotas are reached.
Stock assessments, quota monitoring,
and management require collection of
data from the fishery to account for all
groundfish and prohibited species
catch, including the portion of the catch
that is discarded. North Pacific
groundfish observers aboard vessels and
at shoreside or floating stationary
processors collect the data necessary for
these purposes.
The Alaska Fisheries Science Center’s
groundfish observer program has
embarked on an ambitious set of
observer data collection changes for
implementation in the 2008 fishing
year. The new sampling procedures
eliminate much of the need for
observers to summarize and calculate
information at sea and take steps to
ensure all data points are recorded at
the level from which they are observed.
NMFS is conducting a public
workshop to provide assistance to
fishery participants in reviewing the
new observer sampling protocols and
the changes that were necessary to the
observer electronic data submission and
communications system. Additionally,
NMFS will answer questions from
workshop participants. For further
information on the groundfish observer
E:\FR\FM\28NON1.SGM
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]]>Agencies
[Federal Register Volume 72, Number 228 (Wednesday, November 28, 2007)]
[Notices]
[Pages 67282-67287]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E7-23128]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
Minority Business Development Agency
[Docket No.: 071121729-7734-01]
Solicitation of Applications for the Native American Business
Enterprise Center (NABEC) Program
AGENCY: Minority Business Development Agency, Commerce.
ACTION: Notice.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: In accordance with 15 U.S.C. 1512 and Executive Order 11625,
the Minority Business Development Agency (MBDA) is soliciting
competitive applications from organizations to operate a Native
American Business Enterprise Center (NABEC) in the locations and
geographical service areas specified in this notice. The NABEC operates
through the use of business consultants and provides a range of
business consulting and technical assistance services directly to
Native American- and other eligible minority-owned businesses.
Responsibility for ensuring that applications in response to this
competitive solicitation are complete and received by MBDA on time is
the sole responsibility of the applicant. Applications submitted must
be to operate a NABEC and to provide business consultation services to
eligible clients. Applications that do not meet these requirements will
be rejected. This is not a grant program to help start or to further an
individual business.
DATES: The closing date for receipt of applications is January 11, 2008
at 5 p.m. Eastern Standard Time (EST). Completed applications must be
received by MBDA at the address below for paper submissions or at
https://www.Grants.gov for electronic submissions. The due date and time
is the same for electronic submissions as it is for paper submissions.
The date that applications will be deemed to have been submitted
electronically shall be the date and time received at Grants.gov.
Applicants should save and print the proof of submission they receive
from Grants.gov. Applications received after the closing date and time
will not be considered. Anticipated time for processing is seventy-five
(75) days from the close of the competition period. MBDA anticipates
that awards under this notice will be made with a start date of April
1, 2008.
Pre-Application Conference: In connection with this solicitation, a
pre-application teleconference will be held on December 11, 2007 at
1:00 p.m. (EST). Participants must register at least 24 hours in
advance of the teleconference and may participate in person or by
telephone. Please visit the MBDA Internet Portal at https://www.mbda.gov
(MBDA Portal) or contact an MBDA representative listed below for
registration instructions.
ADDRESSES: (1a) Paper Submission--If Mailed: If the application is sent
by postal mail or overnight delivery service by the applicant or its
representative, one (1) signed original plus two (2) copies of the
application must be submitted. Completed application packages must be
mailed to: Office of Business Development--NABEC Program, Office of
Executive Secretariat, HCHB, Room 5063, Minority Business
[[Page 67283]]
Development Agency, U.S. Department of Commerce, 1401 Constitution
Avenue, NW., Washington, DC 20230.
Applicants are advised that MBDA's receipt of mail sent via the
United States Postal Service may be substantially delayed or suspended
in delivery due to security measures. Applicants may therefore wish to
use a guaranteed overnight delivery service. Department of Commerce
delivery policies for overnight delivery services require all packages
to be sent to the address above.
(1b) Paper Submission--If Hand-Delivered: If the application is
hand-delivered by the applicant or by its representative, one (1)
signed original plus two (2) copies of the application must be
delivered to: U.S. Department of Commerce, Minority Business
Development Agency, Office of Business Development--NABEC Program
(extension 1940), HCHB--Room 1874, Entrance 10, 15th Street,
NW. (between Pennsylvania and Constitution Avenues), Washington, DC.
MBDA will not accept applications that are submitted by the deadline,
but that are rejected due to the applicant's failure to adhere to
Department of Commerce protocol for hand-deliveries.
(2) Electronic Submission: Applicants are encouraged to submit
their proposal electronically at https://www.Grants.gov. Electronic
submissions should be made in accordance with the instructions
available at Grants.gov (see https://www.grants.gov/forapplicants for
detailed information). MBDA strongly recommends that applicants not
wait until the application deadline date to begin the application
process through Grants.gov as, in some cases, the process for
completing an online application may require 3-5 working days.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For further information or for an
application package, please visit MBDA's Minority Business Internet
Portal at https://www.mbda.gov. Paper applications may also be obtained
by contacting the MBDA Office of Business Development or the MBDA
National Enterprise Center (NEC) in the region in which the NABEC will
be located (see below Agency Contacts). In addition, Standard Forms
(SF) may be obtained by accessing https://www.whitehouse.gov/omb/grants
or https://www.grants.gov and Department of Commerce (CD) forms may be
accessed at https://www.doc.gov/forms.
Agency Contacts:
1. MBDA Office of Business Development, 1401 Constitution Avenue,
NW., Room 5075, Washington, DC 20230. Contact: Efrain Gonzalez, Chief,
202-482-1940.
2. MBDA Chicago National Enterprise Center (CNEC), 55 E. Monroe
Street, Suite 2810, Chicago, Illinois 60603. This region covers the
states of Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri,
Nebraska, Ohio, and Wisconsin. Contact: Eric Dobyne, Regional Director,
312-353-0182.
3. Dallas National Enterprise Center (DNEC), 1100 Commerce Street,
Room 726, Dallas, Texas 75242. This region covers the states of
Arkansas, Colorado, Louisiana, Montana, New Mexico, North Dakota,
Oklahoma, South Dakota, Texas, Utah and Wyoming. Contact: John F.
Iglehart, Regional Director, 214-767-8001.
4. San Francisco National Enterprise Center (SFNEC), 221 Main
Street, Room 1280, San Francisco, California 94105. This region covers
the states of Alaska, America Samoa, Arizona, California, Hawaii,
Idaho, Nevada, Oregon and Washington. Contact: Linda M. Marmolejo,
Regional Director, 415-744-3001.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Background: The NABEC Program is a key
component of MBDA's overall minority business development assistance
program and promotes the growth and competitiveness of Native American
and eligible minority-owned businesses. NABEC operators leverage
project staff and professional consultants to provide a wide range of
direct business assistance services to Native American, tribal entities
and eligible minority-owned firms. NABEC services include, but are not
limited to, initial consultations and assessments, business technical
assistance, and access to Federal and non-Federal procurement and
financing opportunities.
MBDA currently funds a network of eight NABEC projects located
throughout the United States. Pursuant to this notice, competitive
applications for new three-year awards are being solicited for the five
NABEC projects set forth below. MBDA intends to hold a separate award
competition during FY 2008 for the remaining three NABEC projects, due
to their current award cycles which end on July 31, 2008 or August 31,
2008.
Geographical Service Areas: MBDA is soliciting competitive
applications from organizations to operate a NABEC and to provide
services in the following geographical service areas:
------------------------------------------------------------------------
NABEC name Geographical service area
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Arizona NABEC.......................... State of Arizona.
California NABEC....................... State of California.
Minnesota/Iowa NABEC................... States of Minnesota & Iowa.
North/South Dakota NABEC............... States of North Dakota & South
Dakota.
Northwest NABEC........................ States of Washington, Oregon &
Idaho.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
The NABEC project must be physically located within the applicable
geographical service area.
Electronic Access: A link to the full text of the Announcement of
Federal Funding Opportunity (FFO) for this solicitation may be accessed
at: https://www.Grants.gov, https://www.mbda.gov, or by contacting the
appropriate MBDA representative identified above. The FFO contains a
full and complete description of the requirements under the NABEC
Program. In order to receive proper consideration, applicants must
comply with all information and requirements contained in the FFO.
Applicants will be able to access, download and submit electronic grant
applications for the NABEC Program through https://www.Grants.gov. MBDA
strongly recommends that applicants not wait until the application
deadline date to begin the application process through Grants.gov as in
some cases the process for completing an online application may require
additional time (e.g., 3-5 working days). The date that applications
will be deemed to have been submitted electronically shall be the date
and time received at Grants.gov. Applicants should save and print the
proof of submission they receive from Grants.gov. Applications received
after the closing date and time will not be considered.
Funding Priorities: Preference may be given during the selection
process to applications which address the following MBDA funding
priorities:
(a) Proposals that include performance goals that exceed by 10% or
more the minimum performance goal requirements in the FFO;
(b) Applicants who demonstrate an exceptional ability to identify
and work
[[Page 67284]]
towards the elimination of barriers which limit the access of minority
businesses to markets and capital;
(c) Applicants who demonstrate an exceptional ability to identify
and work with Native American firms, tribal entities or minority firms
seeking to obtain large-scale contracts and/or insertion into supply
chains with institutional customers;
(d) Proposals that utilize fee for service models and those that
use innovative approaches to charging and collecting fees from clients;
(e) Proposals that take a regional approach in providing services
to eligible clients; or
(f) Proposals from applicants with pre-existing or established
operations in the identified geographic service area(s).
Funding Availability: MBDA anticipates that a total of
approximately $1,116,500 will be available in each of FYs 2008 through
2010 to fund financial assistance awards for the five NABEC projects
referenced in this competitive solicitation. The total award period for
awards made under this competitive solicitation is anticipated to be
three years and all awards are expected to be made with a start date of
April 1, 2008. The anticipated amount of the financial assistance award
for each NABEC project (including the minimum 10% non-federal cost
share) is as follows:
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
April 1, 2008 through March 31, April 1, 2009 through March 31, April 1, 2010 through March 31,
2009 2010 2011
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Project name Non- Non- Non-
Total Cost Federal federal Total cost Federal federal Total cost Federal federal
($) share ($) share ($) ($) share ($) share ($) ($) share ($) share ($)
(10% min.) (10% min.) (10% min.)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(1) Arizona NABEC.......................... $225,500 $203,000 $22,500 $225,500 $203,000 $22,500 $225,500 $203,000 $22,500
(2) California NABEC....................... 330,500 297,500 33,000 330,500 297,500 33,000 330,500 297,500 33,000
(3) Minnesota/Iowa NABEC................... 222,300 200,000 22,300 222,300 200,000 22,300 222,300 200,000 22,300
(4)North/South Dakota NABEC................ 225,500 203,000 22,500 225,500 203,000 22,500 225,500 203,000 22,500
(5) Northwest NABEC........................ 236,700 213,000 23,700 236,700 213,000 23,700 236,700 213,000 23,700
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Applicants must submit project plans and budgets for each of the
three (3) program years. Projects will be funded for no more than one
year at a time. Project proposals accepted for funding will not compete
for funding in subsequent budget periods within the approved award
period. However, operators that fail to achieve a ``satisfactory'' or
better performance rating for the preceding program year may be denied
second- or third-year funding (as the case may be). Recommendations for
second- and third-year funding are generally evaluated by MBDA based on
a mid-year performance rating and/or combination of mid-year and
cumulative third quarter performance (e.g., April 1-January 31)
performance rating. In making such funding recommendations, MBDA and
the Department of Commerce will consider the facts and circumstances of
each case, such as but not limited to market conditions, most recent
performance of the operator and other mitigating circumstances.
Applicants are hereby given notice that FY 2008 funds have not yet
been appropriated for the NABEC program. Accordingly, MBDA issues this
notice subject to the appropriations made available under the current
continuing resolution, H.J. Res. 52, ``Making continuing appropriations
for the fiscal year 2008, and for other purposes,'' Public Law 110-92,
as amended by H.R. 3222, Public Law 110-116. In no event will MBDA or
the Department of Commerce be responsible for proposal preparation
costs if this program fails to receive funding or is cancelled because
of other MBDA or Department of Commerce priorities.
Authority: 15 U.S.C. Section 1512 and Executive Order 11625.
Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance (CFDA): 11.801, Native
American Business Enterprise Centers.
Eligibility: For-profit entities (including but not limited to
sole-proprietorships, partnerships, and corporations), non-profit
organizations, state and local government entities, American Indian
Tribes, and educational institutions are eligible to operate a NABEC.
Program Description: MBDA is soliciting competitive applications
from organizations to operate Native American Business Enterprise
Centers (NABEC) (formerly known as Native American Business Development
Centers). The NABEC will operate through the use of trained
professional business consultants who will assist Native American and
other minority entrepreneurs and tribal entities through direct client
engagements. Entrepreneurs eligible for assistance under the NABEC
Program are Native Americans (including Alaska Natives, Alaska Native
Corporations and tribal entities), Eskimos, African Americans, Puerto
Ricans, Spanish-speaking Americans, Aleuts, Asian Pacific Americans,
Asian Indians and Hasidic Jews. References throughout this notice
regarding a NABEC's provision of services and assistance to Native
American clients also includes the eligible non-Native American clients
listed in the preceding sentence. No service may be denied to any
member of the eligible groups listed above.
The NABEC Program generally requires project staff to provide
standardized business assistance services directly to eligible Native
American clients, with an emphasis on those firms with $500,000 or more
in annual revenues and/or those eligible firms with ``rapid growth
potential'' (``Strategic Growth Initiative'' or ``SGI'' firms); to
develop and maintain a network of strategic partnerships; to provide
collaborative consulting services with MBDA and other MBDA funded
programs and strategic partners; and to provide referral services (as
necessary) for client transactions. NABEC operators will assist Native
American clients in accessing federal and non-federal contracting and
financing opportunities that result in demonstrable client outcomes.
Specific work requirements and performance metrics are used by MBDA to
evaluate each project and are a key component of the NABEC program.
The NABEC Program also incorporates an entrepreneurial approach to
building market stability and improving quality of services delivered.
This strategy expands the reach of the NABECs by requiring project
operators to develop and build upon strategic alliances with public and
private sector partners, as a means of
[[Page 67285]]
serving Native American and minority-owned firms within each NABEC's
geographical service area. The NABEC Program is also designed to
leverage MBDA resources including but not limited to: MBDA Office of
Native American Business Development; MBDA Office of Business
Development; MBDA National Enterprise Centers; MBDA Business Internet
Portal; and MBDA's network of Minority Business Opportunity Centers
(MBOCs), Minority Business Enterprise Centers (MBECs), and other
NABECs. NABEC operators are required to attend a variety of MBDA
training programs designed to increase operational efficiencies and the
provision of value-added client services.
NABEC operators are generally required to provide the following
four client services: (1) Client Assessment--this is a standardized
service activity that includes identifying the client's immediate and
long-term needs and establishes a projected growth track; (2) Strategic
Business Consulting--this involves providing intensive business
consulting services that can be delivered as personalized consulting or
group consulting; (3) Access to Capital--this assistance is designed to
secure the financial capital necessary for client growth, and (4)
Access to Markets--this involves assisting clients to identify and
access opportunities for increased sales and revenues.
Please refer to the FFO pertaining to this competitive solicitation
for a full and complete description of the application and programmatic
requirements under the NABEC Program.
Match Requirements: The NABEC Program requires a minimum non-
federal cost share of 10%, which must be reflected in the proposed
project budget. Non-federal cost share is the portion of the project
cost not borne by the Federal Government. Applicants must satisfy the
non-federal cost sharing requirements in one or more of the following
four means or any combination thereof: (1) Client fees; (2) applicant
cash contributions; (3) applicant in-kind (i.e., non-cash)
contributions; or (4) third-party in-kind contributions. The NABEC may
but is not required to charge client fees for services rendered,
although MBDA encourages the applicant to implement a fee-for-service
program. Client fees (if imposed) must be used towards meeting non-
federal cost share requirements and must be used in furtherance of the
program objectives. Applicants will be awarded up to five bonus points
to the extent that the proposed project budget includes a non-federal
cost share contribution, measured as a percentage of the overall
project budget, exceeding 10% (see Evaluation Criterion below).
Evaluation Criterion: Proposals will be evaluated and applicants
will be selected based on the below evaluation criterion. The maximum
total number of points that an application may receive is 105,
including the bonus points for exceeding the minimum required non-
federal cost sharing, except when oral presentations are made by
applicants. If oral presentations are made (see below: Oral
Presentation--Optional), the maximum total of points that can be earned
is 115. The number of points assigned to each evaluation criterion will
be determined on a competitive basis by the MBDA review panel based on
the quality of the application with respect to each evaluation
criterion.
1. Applicant Capability (40 points)
Proposals will be evaluated with respect to the applicant's
experience and expertise in providing the work requirements listed.
Specifically, proposals will be evaluated as follows:
(a) Community--Experience in and knowledge of the Native American
community, Native American tribal entities and minority business
sector, and strategies for enhancing its growth and expansion;
particular emphasis shall be on expanding SGI firms and tribal
entities. Consideration will be given as to whether the applicant has a
physical presence in the geographic service area at the time of its
application (4 points);
(b) Business Consulting--Experience in and knowledge of business
consulting with respect to Native American and minority firms and
tribal entities, with emphasis on SGI firms in the geographic service
area (5 points);
(c) Financing--Experience in and knowledge of the preparation and
formulation of successful financial transactions, with an emphasis on
the geographic service area (5 points);
(d) Procurements and Contracting--Experience in and knowledge of
the public and private sector contracting opportunities for Native
American entities and minority businesses, as well as demonstrated
expertise in assisting clients into supply chains (5 points);
(e) Financing Networks--Resources and professional relationships
within the corporate, banking and investment community that may be
beneficial to Native American entities and minority-owned firms (5
points);
(f) Establishment of a Self-Sustainable Service Model--Summary plan
to establish a self-sustainable model for continued services to the
Native American and MBE communities beyond the three-year MBDA award
period (3 points);
(g) MBE Advocacy--Experience and expertise in advocating on behalf
of Native American communities, Native American tribal entities and
minority businesses, both as to specific transactions in which a
minority business seeks to engage and as to broad market advocacy for
the benefit of the minority community at large (3 points); and
(h) Key Staff--Assessment of the qualifications, experience and
proposed role of staff that will operate the NABEC. In particular, an
assessment will be made to determine whether proposed key staff
possesses the expertise in utilizing information systems and the
ability to successfully deliver program services. At a minimum the
applicant must identify a proposed project director (10 points).
2. Resources (20 points)
The applicant's proposal will be evaluated as followed:
(a) Resources--Resources (not included as part of the non-federal
cost share) that will be used in implementing the program, including
but not limited to existing prior and/or current data lists that will
serve in fostering immediate success for the NABEC (8 points);
(b) Location--Assessment of the applicant's strategic rationale for
the proposed physical location of the NABEC. Applicant is encouraged to
establish a location for the NABEC that is in a building which is
separate and apart from any of the applicant's existing offices in the
geographic service area (2 points);
(c) Partners--How the applicant plans to establish and maintain the
network of strategic partners and the manner in which these partners
will support the NABEC in meeting program performance goals (5 points);
and
(d) Equipment--How the applicant plans to satisfy the NABEC
information technology requirements, including computer hardware,
software requirements and network map (5 points).
3. Techniques and Methodologies (20 points)
The applicant's proposal will be evaluated as follows:
(a) Performance Measures--For each program year, the manner in
which the applicant relates each performance measure to the financial
information and market resources available in the geographic service
area (including existing client list); how the applicant will create
NABEC brand recognition (marketing plan); and how the applicant
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will satisfy program performance goals. In particular, emphasis may be
placed on the manner in which the applicant matches NABEC performance
goals with client service hours and how it accounts for existing market
conditions in its strategy to achieve such goals (10 points);
(b) Start-up Phase--How the applicant will commence NABEC
operations within the initial 30-day period. The NABEC shall have
thirty (30) days to become fully operational after an award is made (3
points); and
(c) Work Requirement Execution Plan--The applicant will be
evaluated on how effectively and efficiently staff time will be used to
achieve the work requirements, particularly with respect to periods
beyond the start-up phase (7 points).
4. Proposed Budget and Budget Narrative (20 points)
The applicant's proposal will be evaluated as follows:
(a) Reasonableness, Allowability and Allocability of Proposed
Program Costs. All of the proposed program costs expenditures should be
discussed and the budget line-item narrative must match the proposed
budget. Fringe benefits and other percentage item calculations should
match the proposed budget line-item and narrative (5 points);
(b) Non-Federal Cost Share. The required 10% non-Federal share must
be adequately addressed and properly documented, including but not
limited to how client fees (if proposed) will be used by the applicant
in meeting the non-federal cost-share (5 points); and
(c) Performance-Based Budgeting. The extent to which the line-item
budget and budget narrative relate to the accomplishment of the NABEC
work requirements and performance measures (i.e., performance-based
budgeting) (10 points).
Bonus for Non-Federal Cost Sharing (maximum of 5 points): Proposals
with non-federal cost sharing exceeding 10% of the total project costs
will be awarded bonus points on the following scale: more than 10%-less
than 15% = 1 point; 15% or more-less than 20% = 2 points; 20% or more-
less than 25% = 3 points; 25% or more-less than 30% = 4 points; and 30%
or more = 5 points. Non-federal cost sharing of at least 10% is
required under the NABEC Program. Non-federal cost sharing is the
portion of the total project cost not borne by the Federal Government
and may be met by the applicant in any one or more of the following
four means (or a combination thereof): (1) Client fees (encouraged but
not mandatory); (2) cash contributions; (3) non-cash applicant
contributions; or (4) third party in-kind contributions.
5. Oral Presentation--Optional (10 points)
Oral presentations are optional and held only when requested by
MBDA. This action may be initiated for the top two (2) ranked
applications for each project and will be applied on a consistent basis
for each project competition. Oral presentations will be used to
establish a final evaluation and ranking.
The applicant's presentation will be evaluated as to the extent to
which the presentation demonstrates:
(a) How the applicant will effectively and efficiently assist MBDA
in the accomplishment of its mission (2 points);
(b) Business operating priorities designed to manage a successful
NABEC (2 points);
(c) A management philosophy that achieves an effective balance
between micromanagement and complete autonomy for its Project Director
(2 points);
(d) Robust search criteria for the identification of a Project
Director (1 point);
(e) Effective employee recruitment and retention policies and
procedures (1 point); and
(f) A competitive and innovative approach to exceeding performance
requirements (2 points).
Review and Selection Process:
1. Initial Screening
Prior to the formal paneling process, each application will receive
an initial screening to ensure that all required forms, signatures and
documentation are present. An application will be considered non-
responsive and will not be evaluated by the review panel if it is
received after the closing date for receipt of applications, the
applicant fails to submit an original, signed Form SF-424 by the
application closing date (paper applications only), or the application
does not provide for the operation of a NABEC. Other application
deficiencies may be accounted for through point deductions during panel
review.
2. Panel Review
Each application will receive an independent, objective review by a
panel qualified to evaluate the applications submitted. The review
panel will consist of at least 3 persons, all of whom will be full-time
federal employees and at least one of whom will be an MBDA employee,
who will review the applications for a specified project based on the
above evaluation criterion. Each reviewer shall evaluate and provide a
score for each proposal. Each project review panel (through the panel
Chairperson) shall provide the MBDA National Director (Recommending
Official) with a ranking of the applications based on the average of
the reviewers' scores and shall also provide a recommendation regarding
funding of the highest scoring application.
3. Oral Presentation--Upon MBDA Request
MBDA may invite the two (2) top-ranked applicants for each project
competition to develop and provide an oral presentation. If an oral
presentation is requested, the affected applicants will receive a
formal communication (via standard mail, e-mail or fax) from MBDA
indicating the time and date for the presentation. In-person
presentations are not mandatory but are encouraged; telephonic
presentations are acceptable. Applicants will be asked to submit a
PowerPoint presentation (or equivalent) to MBDA that addresses the oral
presentation criteria set forth above. The presentation must be
submitted at least 24 hours before the scheduled date and time of the
presentation. The presentation will be made to the MBDA National
Director (or his/her designee) and up to three senior MBDA staff who
did not serve on the original review panel. The oral panel members may
ask follow-up questions after the presentation. MBDA will provide the
teleconference dial-in number and pass code. Each applicant will
present to MBDA staff only; competitors are not permitted to listen
(and/or watch) other presentations.
All costs pertaining to this presentation shall be borne by the
applicant. NABEC award funds may not be used as a reimbursement for
this presentation. MBDA will not accept any requests or petitions for
reimbursement.
The oral panel members shall score each presentation in accordance
with the oral presentation criterion provided above. An average score
shall be compiled and added to the score of the original panel review.
4. Final Recommendation
The MBDA National Director makes the final recommendation to the
Grants Officer regarding the funding of applications under this
competitive solicitation. MBDA expects to recommend for funding the
highest ranking application for each project, as evaluated and
recommended by the review panel and taking into account oral
presentations (as applicable).
[[Page 67287]]
However, the MBDA National Director may not make any selection, or he
may select an application out of rank order for the following reasons:
(a) A determination that an application better addresses one or
more of the funding priorities for this competition. The National
Director (or his/her designee) reserves the right to conduct one or
more site visits (subject to the availability of funding), in order to
make a better assessment of an applicant's capability to achieve the
funding priorities; or
(b) The availability of MBDA funding.
Prior to making a final recommendation to the Grants Officer, MBDA
may request that the apparent winner of the competition provide written
clarifications (as necessary) regarding its application.
Intergovernmental Review: Applications under this program are not
subject to Executive Order 12372, ``Intergovernmental Review of Federal
Programs.''
Limitation of Liability: In no event will MBDA or the Department of
Commerce be responsible for proposal preparation costs if this program
fails to receive funding or is cancelled because of other MBDA or
Department of Commerce priorities. All funding periods are subject to
the availability of funds to support the continuation of the project
and the Department of Commerce and MBDA priorities. Publication of this
notice does not obligate the Department of Commerce or MBDA to award
any specific cooperative agreement or to obligate all or any part of
available funds.
Universal Identifier: Applicants should be aware that they will be
required to provide a Dun and Bradstreet Data Universal Numbering
System (DUNS) number during the application process. See the June 27,
2003 Federal Register notice (68 FR 38402) for additional information.
Organizations can receive a DUNS number at no cost by calling the
dedicated toll-free DUNS Number request line at 1-866-705-5711 or by
accessing the Grants.gov Web site at https://www.Grants.gov.
Department of Commerce Pre-Award Notification Requirements for
Grants and Cooperative Agreements: The Department of Commerce Pre-Award
Notification Requirements for Grants and Cooperative Agreements
contained in the Federal Register notice of December 30, 2004 (69 FR
78389) are applicable to this solicitation.
Paperwork Reduction Act: This document contains collection-of-
information requirements subject to the Paperwork Reduction Act (PRA).
The use of Standard Forms 424, 424A, 424B, SF-LLL, and CD-346 have been
approved by OMB under the respective control numbers 0348-0043, 0348-
0044, 0348-0040, 0348-0046, and 0605-0001. Notwithstanding any other
provisions of law, no person is required to respond to, nor shall any
person be subject to a penalty for failure to comply with a collection
of information subject to the Paperwork Reduction Act unless that
collection displays a currently valid OMB Control Number.
Executive Order 12866: This notice has been determined to be not
significant for purposes of E.O. 12866.
Administrative Procedure Act/ Regulatory Flexibility Act: Prior
notice and an opportunity for public comment are not required by the
Administrative Procedure Act for rules concerning public property,
loans, grants, benefits, or contracts (5 U.S.C. 533(a)(2)). Because
notice and opportunity for comment are not required pursuant to 5
U.S.C. 533 or any other law, the analytical requirements of the
Regulatory Flexibility Act (5 U.S.C. 601 et seq.) are inapplicable.
Therefore, a regulatory flexibility analysis is not required and has
not been prepared.
Dated: November 21, 2007.
Ronald N. Langston,
National Director, Minority Business Development Agency.
[FR Doc. E7-23128 Filed 11-27-07; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-21-P
