Solicitation of Applications for the Minority Business Opportunity Center (MBOC) Program, 70303-70308 [E7-23990]
Download as PDF
<![CDATA[
Federal Register / Vol. 72, No. 237 / Tuesday, December 11, 2007 / Notices
with 19 CFR 351.305, which continues
to govern business proprietary
information in this segment of the
proceeding. Timely written notification
of the return/destruction of APO
materials or conversion to judicial
protective order is hereby requested.
Failure to comply with the regulations
and terms of an APO is a violation
which is subject to sanction.
These amended final results are
published in accordance with sections
751(h) and 777(i)(1) of the Act.
Dated: November 30, 2007.
David M. Spooner,
Assistant Secretary for Import
Administration.
[FR Doc. E7–23964 Filed 12–10–07; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510–DS–S
DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
International Trade Administrastion
[C–570–921]
Lightweight Thermal Paper from the
People’s Republic of China: Notice of
Postponement of Preliminary
Determination in the Countervailing
Duty Investigation
Import Administration,
International Trade Administration,
Department of Commerce.
EFFECTIVE DATE: December 11, 2007.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
David Neubacher or Scott Holland, AD/
CVD Operations, Office 1, Import
Administration, International Trade
Administration, U.S. Department of
Commerce, 14th Street and Constitution
Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20230;
telephone: (202) 482–5823 and (202)
482–1279, respectively.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
LWTP from the PRC. Under section
703(c)(1)(A) of the Tariff Act of 1930, as
amended (the Act), the Department may
extend the period for reaching a
preliminary determination in a
countervailing duty investigation until
not later than the 130th day after the
date on which the administering
authority initiates an investigation if the
petitioner makes a timely request for an
extension of the period within which
the determination must be made under
subsection (b) (section 703(b) of the
Act). Pursuant to section 351.205(e) of
the Department’s regulations, the
petitioners’ request for postponement of
the preliminary determination was
made 25 days or more before the
scheduled date of the preliminary
determination. Accordingly, we are
extending the due date for the
preliminary determination by 65 days to
no later than March 7, 2008.
This notice is issued and published
pursuant to section 703(c)(2) of the Act.
Dated: December 4, 2007.
Stephen J. Claeys,
Acting Assistant Secretary for Import
Administration.
[FR Doc. E7–23958 Filed 12–10–07; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510–DS–S
AGENCY:
Background
pwalker on PROD1PC71 with NOTICES
On October 29, 2007, the Department
of Commerce (the Department) initiated
the countervailing duty investigation of
lightweight thermal paper (LWTP) from
the People’s Republic of China (PRC).
See Notice of Initiation of
Countervailing Duty Investigation:
Lightweight Thermal Paper from the
People’s Republic of China, 72 FR 62209
(November 2, 2007). Currently, the
preliminary determination is due no
later than January 2, 2008.
Postponement of Due Date for
Preliminary Determination
On November 20, 2007, Appleton
Papers Inc. (petitioner) requested that
the Department postpone the
preliminary determination of the
countervailing duty investigation of
VerDate Aug<31>2005
19:12 Dec 10, 2007
Jkt 214001
DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
Minority Business Development
Agency
[Docket No.: 071205803–7804–01]
Solicitation of Applications for the
Minority Business Opportunity Center
(MBOC) Program
Minority Business
Development Agency, Commerce.
ACTION: Notice.
AGENCY:
SUMMARY: In accordance with 15 U.S.C.
Section 1512 and Executive Order
11625, the Minority Business
Development Agency (MBDA) is
soliciting competitive applications from
organizations to operate a Minority
Business Opportunity Center (MBOC) in
the locations and geographical service
areas specified in this notice. The
MBOC operates through the use of
business consultants and provides
business assistance and brokering
services directly to eligible minorityowned businesses. The MBOC
Program’s primary evaluation criterion
is the dollar value of contracts and
financial transactions awarded to
eligible minority business enterprises
(MBEs). Responsibility for ensuring that
applications in response to this
competitive solicitation are complete
and received by MBDA on time is the
PO 00000
Frm 00015
Fmt 4703
Sfmt 4703
70303
sole responsibility of the applicant.
Applications submitted must be to
operate an MBOC and to provide
business assistance and brokering
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 18, 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
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 sixty (60) 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 18, 2007 at 1 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. Applicants are encouraged to
also submit an electronic copy of the
proposal, budget and budget narrative
on a CD–ROM to facilitate the
processing of applications. Completed
application packages must be mailed to:
Office of Business Development—
MBOC Program, Office of Executive
Secretariat, HCHB, Room 5063, Minority
Business 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
E:\FR\FM\11DEN1.SGM
11DEN1
70304
Federal Register / Vol. 72, No. 237 / Tuesday, December 11, 2007 / Notices
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—MBOC Program
(extension 1940), HCHB—Room 1874,
Entrance #10, 15th Street, NW. (between
Pennsylvania and Constitution
Avenues), Washington, DC. Applicants
are encouraged to also submit an
electronic copy of the proposal, budget
and budget narrative on a CD–ROM to
facilitate the processing of applications.
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 MBOC
will be located (see below Agency
Contacts). In addition, Standard Forms
(SF) may be obtained by accessing
www.whitehouse.gov/omb/grants or
www.grants.gov. and Department of
Commerce (CD) forms may be accessed
at 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 Atlanta National Enterprise
Center (ANEC), 401 Peachtree Street,
NW., Suite 1715, Atlanta, Georgia
30308. This region covers the states and
territories of Alabama, Florida, Georgia,
Kentucky, Mississippi, North Carolina,
Puerto Rico, South Carolina, Tennessee
and the U.S. Virgin Islands. Contact:
John Iglehart, Acting Regional Director,
404–730–3313 or 214–767–8001.
3. 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.
4. MBDA 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.
5. MBDA New York National
Enterprise Center (NYNEC), 26 Federal
Plaza, Room 3720, New York, New York
10278. This region covers the states of
Name of MBOC
Location of MBOC
Alabama MBOC .................................................
Chicago MBOC ..................................................
Florida MBOC ....................................................
Gary MBOC .......................................................
Los Angeles MBOC ...........................................
New Orleans MBOC ..........................................
Washington, DC MBOC .....................................
Mobile, AL ........................................................
Chicago, IL .......................................................
Orlando, FL ......................................................
Gary, IN ............................................................
Los Angeles, CA ..............................................
New Orleans, LA ..............................................
Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MDWV MSA**.
Milwaukee, WI ..................................................
Connecticut, Delaware, District of
Columbia, Maine, Maryland, New
Hampshire, New Jersey, New York,
Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont,
Virginia and West Virginia. Contact: Mr.
Heyward Davenport, Regional Director,
212–264–3262.
6. MBDA San Francisco National
Enterprise Center (SFNEC), 221 Main
Street, Room 1280, San Francisco,
California 94105. This region covers the
states and territories of Alaska,
American Samoa, Arizona, California,
Hawaii, Idaho, Nevada, Oregon and
Washington. Contact: Linda M.
Marmolejo, Regional Director, 415–744–
3001.
Wisconsin MBOC ...............................................
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Background: The MBOC Program is a
key component of MBDA’s overall
minority business development
assistance program and promotes the
growth and competitiveness of eligible
minority-owned businesses. MBDA
currently funds a network of eight (8)
MBOC projects located throughout the
United States. MBOC operators provide
business assistance and brokering
services to eligible MBEs, with an
emphasis on firms with $500,000 or
more in annual revenues or firms with
‘‘rapid growth potential’’ (collectively,
the ‘‘Strategic Growth Initiative’’ or
‘‘SGI’’ firms). In addition, MBOC
operators provide access to procurement
and financing opportunities within the
public and private sectors. Pursuant to
this notice, competitive applications for
new three-year awards are being
solicited for the eight (8) MBOC projects
set forth below.
Locations and Geographical Service
Areas: MBDA is soliciting competitive
applications from eligible organizations
to operate an MBOC in the following
locations and geographical service areas:
MBOC geographical service area
State of Alabama.
State of Illinois.
State of Florida.
State of Indiana.
County of Los Angeles, CA.
New Orleans-Metairie-Kenner, LA MSA.**
Washington-Arlington-Alexandria,
DC-VA-MD-WV MSA.**
State of Wisconsin.
pwalker on PROD1PC71 with NOTICES
** Metropolitan Statistical Area, please see OMB Bulletin No. 07–01, Update of Statistical Area Definitions and Guidance on Their Uses (December 18, 2006) at https://www.whitehouse.gov/omb/bulletins.
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
VerDate Aug<31>2005
19:12 Dec 10, 2007
Jkt 214001
representative identified above. The
FFO contains a full and complete
description of the requirements under
the MBOC Program. In order to receive
proper consideration, applicants must
comply with all information and
PO 00000
Frm 00016
Fmt 4703
Sfmt 4703
requirements contained in the FFO.
Applicants will be able to access,
download and submit electronic grant
applications for the MBOC Program
through https://www.Grants.gov. MBDA
strongly recommends that applicants
E:\FR\FM\11DEN1.SGM
11DEN1
70305
Federal Register / Vol. 72, No. 237 / Tuesday, December 11, 2007 / Notices
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 set forth in the FFO;
(b) Applicants who are headquartered
and demonstrate an exceptional ability
and leadership in identifying and
working towards the elimination of
barriers which limit the access of
minority businesses to markets and
capital in the applicable MBOC
geographical service area;
(c) Applicants who demonstrate an
exceptional ability to identify and work
with 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;
(f) Proposals from applicants with an
existing client base in the applicable
MBOC geographic service area that
exceeds by 50% or more the applicable
performance goal for the minimum
number of clients served; or
April 1, 2008 through March 31, 2009
Project name
pwalker on PROD1PC71 with NOTICES
Alabama MBOC .........
Chicago MBOC ..........
Florida MBOC ............
Gary MBOC ................
Los Angeles MBOC ...
Louisiana MBOC ........
Washington, DC
MBOC .....................
Wisconsin MBOC .......
Total cost
($)
Total cost
($)
Federal
share ($)
April 1, 2010 through March 31,
2011
Non-federal share
($)
(20% min.)
Total cost
($)
Federal
share ($)
Non-federal share
($)
(20% min.)
162,500
375,000
250,000
162,500
375,000
325,000
130,000
300,000
200,000
130,000
300,000
260,000
32,500
75,000
50,000
32,500
75,000
65,000
162,500
375,000
250,000
162,500
375,000
325,000
130,000
300,000
200,000
130,000
300,000
260,000
32,500
75,000
50,000
32,500
75,000
65,000
162,500
375,000
250,000
162,500
375,000
325,000
130,000
300,000
200,000
130,000
300,000
260,000
32,500
75,000
50,000
32,500
75,000
65,000
375,000
162,500
300,000
130,000
75,000
32,500
375,000
162,500
300,000
130,000
75,000
32,500
375,000
162,500
300,000
130,000
75,000
32,500
Applicants must submit project plans
and budgets for each of the three (3)
program years under the award (April 1,
2008–March 31, 2009, April 1, 2009–
March 31, 2010 and April 1, 2010–
March 31, 2011). Projects will be funded
for no more than one year at a time.
Project operators will not compete for
funding in subsequent program years
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
ratings. In making such funding
recommendations, MBDA and the
Department of Commerce will consider
the facts and circumstances of each
VerDate Aug<31>2005
April 1, 2009 through March 31, 2010
Non-federal share
($)
(20% min.)
Federal
share ($)
(g) Proposals that demonstrate an
ability to establish an MBOC that has an
industry specific focus and that
demonstrate the leveraging of one or
more economic clusters, including but
not limited to aerospace, manufacturing,
construction, financial services,
information technology and automotive
industries.
Funding Availability: MBDA
anticipates that a total of approximately
$1,750,000 will be available in each of
FYs 2008 through 2010 to fund financial
assistance awards for the eight (8)
MBOC 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 MBOC project (including the
minimum 20% non-federal cost share)
is as follows:
19:12 Dec 10, 2007
Jkt 214001
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 MBOC 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. 1512 and
Executive Order 11625.
PO 00000
Frm 00017
Fmt 4703
Sfmt 4703
Catalog of Federal Domestic
Assistance (CFDA): 11.803, Minority
Business Opportunity Center Program.
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 an MBOC.
Program Description: MBDA is
soliciting competitive applications from
organizations to operate a Minority
Business Opportunity Center (MBOC)
(formerly the Minority Business
Opportunity Committee Program). The
MBOC will operate through the use of
trained professional business
consultants who will assist eligible
minority entrepreneurs through direct
client engagements. The MBOC is
supported by a volunteer advisory
committee that assists the MBOC
operator in implementing program
E:\FR\FM\11DEN1.SGM
11DEN1
pwalker on PROD1PC71 with NOTICES
70306
Federal Register / Vol. 72, No. 237 / Tuesday, December 11, 2007 / Notices
requirements and providing contract
and financing opportunities to eligible
minority entrepreneurs.
Minority entrepreneurs eligible for
assistance under the MBOC Program are
African Americans, Puerto Ricans,
Spanish-speaking Americans, Aleuts,
Asian Pacific Americans, Native
Americans (including Alaska Natives,
Alaska Native Corporations and tribal
entities), Eskimos, Asian Indians and
Hasidic Jews. No service may be denied
to any member of the eligible groups
listed above.
The MBOC Program generally
requires project staff to provide
standardized business assistance and
brokering services directly to eligible
MBE clients, with an emphasis on those
firms with $500,000 or more in annual
revenues 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. MBOC operators
will assist MBE clients in accessing
federal and non-federal contracting and
financing opportunities that result in
demonstrable client outcomes. The
MBOC Program’s primary evaluation
criterion is the dollar value of contracts
and financial transactions awarded to
MBEs. MBOCs also provide business
assistance services including but not
limited to assessing client capabilities
and needs, and assisting the client in
developing a course of action to
successfully obtain contracts and
financial transactions. Specific work
requirements and performance metrics
are used by MBDA to evaluate each
project and are a key component of the
MBOC program and are fully set forth in
the FFO.
The MBOC Program also incorporates
an entrepreneurial approach to building
market stability and improving quality
of services delivered. This strategy
expands the reach of the MBOCs by
requiring project operators to develop
and build upon strategic alliances with
public and private sector partners, as a
means of serving minority-owned firms
within each MBOC’s geographical
service area. This entrepreneurial
strategy expands the reach of the
MBOCs by requiring project operators to
develop and build upon its advisory
committee and strategic alliances with
public and private sector partners as a
means of serving minority-owned firms
within each MBOC’s geographical
service area. The MBOC Program is also
designed to leverage MBDA resources
VerDate Aug<31>2005
19:12 Dec 10, 2007
Jkt 214001
including but not limited to: MBDA
Office of Business Development; MBDA
National Enterprise Centers; MBDA
Business Internet Portal; and MBDA’s
network of Native American Business
Enterprise Centers (NABECs), Minority
Business Enterprise Centers (MBECs),
and other MBOCs. MBOC operators are
required to attend a variety of MBDA
training programs designed to increase
operational efficiencies and the
provision of value-added client services.
MBOC operators are generally
required to provide the following three
client services: (1) Facilitate the Award
of Contract and Financial
Transactions—this involves providing
business assistance and brokering
services to minority-owned businesses,
including the identification of public
and private sector contract and
financing opportunities; (2) MBOC
Advisory Committee and
Subcommittees—this involves the
establishment and operation of an
advisory committee consisting of public
and private sector executives and key
decision makers that assists the MBOC
operator in implementing its program
and in identifying upcoming contract
and financing opportunities for MBEs;
and (3) Program Promotion and
Advocacy—the MBOC operator is
required to promote its activities within
the minority business community and to
advocate the use of minority businesses
with respect to contracting and
financing opportunities.
Please refer to the FFO pertaining to
this competitive solicitation for a full
and complete description of the
application and programmatic
requirements under the MBOC Program.
Match Requirements: The MBOC
Program requires a minimum nonfederal cost share of 20%, 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 in 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 MBOC operator 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
PO 00000
Frm 00018
Fmt 4703
Sfmt 4703
contribution, measured as a percentage
of the overall project budget, exceeding
20% (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 minority community,
minority business sector and strategies
for enhancing its growth and expansion;
particular emphasis shall be on
expanding SGI firms. Consideration will
be given as to whether the applicant has
an ‘‘established presence’’ in the
applicable MBOC geographical service
area at the time of its application. For
this purpose, ‘‘established presence’’
means that the applicant has had an
office in the applicable MBOC
geographical service area for at least
three (3) years preceding the date of this
FFO and has established working
relationships with purchasing and
financing organizations in such area (4
points);
(b) Business Consulting (Brokering)—
Experience in and knowledge of
brokering procurements and financial
transaction with respect to minority
firms, with an emphasis on SGI firms in
the applicable MBOC geographical
service area (5 points);
(c) Financing—Experience in and
knowledge of the preparation and
formulation of successful financial
transactions, with an emphasis on the
applicable MBOC geographical service
area (5 points);
(d) Procurements and Contracting—
Experience in and knowledge of the
public and private sector contracting
opportunities for minority businesses,
as well as demonstrated expertise in
assisting clients into supply chains (5
points);
(e) Financing Networks—Resources
and professional relationships within
E:\FR\FM\11DEN1.SGM
11DEN1
Federal Register / Vol. 72, No. 237 / Tuesday, December 11, 2007 / Notices
the corporate, banking and investment
community that may be beneficial to
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 MBE
community beyond the three-year
MBDA award period (3 points);
(g) MBE Advocacy—Experience and
expertise in advocating on behalf of
minority communities 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 MBOC.
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).
pwalker on PROD1PC71 with NOTICES
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 MBOC (8 points);
(b) Location—Assessment of the
applicant’s strategic rationale for the
proposed physical location of the
MBOC. Applicant is encouraged to
establish a location for the MBOC that
is in a building which is separate and
apart from any of the applicant’s
existing offices in the geographical
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
MBOC in meeting program performance
goals (5 points); and
(d) Equipment—How the applicant
plans to satisfy the MBOC 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
VerDate Aug<31>2005
19:12 Dec 10, 2007
Jkt 214001
measure to the financial information
and market resources available in the
applicable MBOC geographical service
area (including existing client list); how
the applicant will create MBOC brand
recognition (marketing plan); and how
the applicant will satisfy program
performance goals. In particular,
emphasis may be placed on the manner
in which the applicant matches MBOC
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 MBOC
operations within the initial 30-day
period. The MBOC 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 20% 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 MBOC 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 20%
of the total project costs will be awarded
bonus points on the following scale:
more than 20%—less than 25% = 1
point; 25% or more—less than 30% = 2
points; 30% or more—less than 35% =
3 points; 35% or more—less than 40%
= 4 points; and 40% or more = 5 points.
Non-federal cost sharing of at least 20%
is required under the MBOC Program.
Non-federal cost sharing is the portion
PO 00000
Frm 00019
Fmt 4703
Sfmt 4703
70307
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 in a
combination thereof): (1) Client fees (if
proposed); (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 MBOC
(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 an MBOC. 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
E:\FR\FM\11DEN1.SGM
11DEN1
70308
Federal Register / Vol. 72, No. 237 / Tuesday, December 11, 2007 / Notices
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.
pwalker on PROD1PC71 with NOTICES
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. MBOC 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
VerDate Aug<31>2005
19:12 Dec 10, 2007
Jkt 214001
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
and Cooperative Agreements: The
Department of Commerce Pre-Award
Notification Requirements for Grants
and Cooperative Agreements contained
in the Federal Register notice of
PO 00000
Frm 00020
Fmt 4703
Sfmt 4703
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: December 6, 2007.
Ronald N. Langston,
National Director, Minority Business
Development Agency.
[FR Doc. E7–23990 Filed 12–10–07; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510–21–P
DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric
Administration
Availability of Seats for the Cordell
Bank National Marine Sanctuary
Advisory Council
National Marine Sanctuary
Program (NMSP), National Ocean
Service (NOS), National Oceanic and
Atmospheric Administration,
Department of Commerce (DOC).
ACTION: Notice and request for
applications.
AGENCY:
SUMMARY: The Cordell Bank National
Marine Sanctuary (CBNMS or
Sanctuary) is seeking applicants for the
following vacant seats on its Sanctuary
Advisory Council (Council): Research
Primary, Research Alternate, Marin
County Community-at-Large Alternate,
E:\FR\FM\11DEN1.SGM
11DEN1
]]>Agencies
[Federal Register Volume 72, Number 237 (Tuesday, December 11, 2007)]
[Notices]
[Pages 70303-70308]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E7-23990]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
Minority Business Development Agency
[Docket No.: 071205803-7804-01]
Solicitation of Applications for the Minority Business
Opportunity Center (MBOC) Program
AGENCY: Minority Business Development Agency, Commerce.
ACTION: Notice.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: In accordance with 15 U.S.C. Section 1512 and Executive Order
11625, the Minority Business Development Agency (MBDA) is soliciting
competitive applications from organizations to operate a Minority
Business Opportunity Center (MBOC) in the locations and geographical
service areas specified in this notice. The MBOC operates through the
use of business consultants and provides business assistance and
brokering services directly to eligible minority-owned businesses. The
MBOC Program's primary evaluation criterion is the dollar value of
contracts and financial transactions awarded to eligible minority
business enterprises (MBEs). 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 an MBOC and to
provide business assistance and brokering 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 18, 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
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 sixty (60)
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 18, 2007 at 1
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. Applicants are encouraged to also submit
an electronic copy of the proposal, budget and budget narrative on a
CD-ROM to facilitate the processing of applications. Completed
application packages must be mailed to: Office of Business
Development--MBOC Program, Office of Executive Secretariat, HCHB, Room
5063, Minority Business 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
[[Page 70304]]
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--MBOC Program
(extension 1940), HCHB--Room 1874, Entrance 10, 15th Street,
NW. (between Pennsylvania and Constitution Avenues), Washington, DC.
Applicants are encouraged to also submit an electronic copy of the
proposal, budget and budget narrative on a CD-ROM to facilitate the
processing of applications.
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 MBOC will
be located (see below Agency Contacts). In addition, Standard Forms
(SF) may be obtained by accessing www.whitehouse.gov/omb/grants or
www.grants.gov. and Department of Commerce (CD) forms may be accessed
at 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 Atlanta National Enterprise Center (ANEC), 401 Peachtree
Street, NW., Suite 1715, Atlanta, Georgia 30308. This region covers the
states and territories of Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky,
Mississippi, North Carolina, Puerto Rico, South Carolina, Tennessee and
the U.S. Virgin Islands. Contact: John Iglehart, Acting Regional
Director, 404-730-3313 or 214-767-8001.
3. 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.
4. MBDA 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.
5. MBDA New York National Enterprise Center (NYNEC), 26 Federal
Plaza, Room 3720, New York, New York 10278. This region covers the
states of Connecticut, Delaware, District of Columbia, Maine, Maryland,
New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island,
Vermont, Virginia and West Virginia. Contact: Mr. Heyward Davenport,
Regional Director, 212-264-3262.
6. MBDA San Francisco National Enterprise Center (SFNEC), 221 Main
Street, Room 1280, San Francisco, California 94105. This region covers
the states and territories of Alaska, American Samoa, Arizona,
California, Hawaii, Idaho, Nevada, Oregon and Washington. Contact:
Linda M. Marmolejo, Regional Director, 415-744-3001.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Background: The MBOC Program is a key component of MBDA's overall
minority business development assistance program and promotes the
growth and competitiveness of eligible minority-owned businesses. MBDA
currently funds a network of eight (8) MBOC projects located throughout
the United States. MBOC operators provide business assistance and
brokering services to eligible MBEs, with an emphasis on firms with
$500,000 or more in annual revenues or firms with ``rapid growth
potential'' (collectively, the ``Strategic Growth Initiative'' or
``SGI'' firms). In addition, MBOC operators provide access to
procurement and financing opportunities within the public and private
sectors. Pursuant to this notice, competitive applications for new
three-year awards are being solicited for the eight (8) MBOC projects
set forth below.
Locations and Geographical Service Areas: MBDA is soliciting
competitive applications from eligible organizations to operate an MBOC
in the following locations and geographical service areas:
------------------------------------------------------------------------
MBOC geographical
Name of MBOC Location of MBOC service area
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Alabama MBOC.................... Mobile, AL........ State of Alabama.
Chicago MBOC.................... Chicago, IL....... State of Illinois.
Florida MBOC.................... Orlando, FL....... State of Florida.
Gary MBOC....................... Gary, IN.......... State of Indiana.
Los Angeles MBOC................ Los Angeles, CA... County of Los
Angeles, CA.
New Orleans MBOC................ New Orleans, LA... New Orleans-
Metairie-Kenner,
LA MSA.**
Washington, DC MBOC............. Washington- Washington-
Arlington- Arlington-
Alexandria, DC-VA- Alexandria,
MD-WV MSA**. DC-VA-MD-WV MSA.**
Wisconsin MBOC.................. Milwaukee, WI..... State of
Wisconsin.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
** Metropolitan Statistical Area, please see OMB Bulletin No. 07-01,
Update of Statistical Area Definitions and Guidance on Their Uses
(December 18, 2006) at https://www.whitehouse.gov/omb/bulletins.
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 MBOC
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 MBOC Program through https://www.Grants.gov. MBDA
strongly recommends that applicants
[[Page 70305]]
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 set forth in the FFO;
(b) Applicants who are headquartered and demonstrate an exceptional
ability and leadership in identifying and working towards the
elimination of barriers which limit the access of minority businesses
to markets and capital in the applicable MBOC geographical service
area;
(c) Applicants who demonstrate an exceptional ability to identify
and work with 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;
(f) Proposals from applicants with an existing client base in the
applicable MBOC geographic service area that exceeds by 50% or more the
applicable performance goal for the minimum number of clients served;
or
(g) Proposals that demonstrate an ability to establish an MBOC that
has an industry specific focus and that demonstrate the leveraging of
one or more economic clusters, including but not limited to aerospace,
manufacturing, construction, financial services, information technology
and automotive industries.
Funding Availability: MBDA anticipates that a total of
approximately $1,750,000 will be available in each of FYs 2008 through
2010 to fund financial assistance awards for the eight (8) MBOC
projects referenced in this competitive solicitation. The total award
period for awards made under this competitive solicitation is
anticipated to be three years and all awards are expected to be made
with a start date of April 1, 2008. The anticipated amount of the
financial assistance award for each MBOC project (including the minimum
20% non-federal cost share) is as follows:
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
April 1, 2008 through March 31, April 1, 2009 through March 31, April 1, 2010 through March 31,
2009 2010 2011
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Project name Non- Non- Non-
Total cost Federal federal Total cost Federal federal Total cost Federal federal
($) share ($) share ($) ($) share ($) share ($) ($) share ($) share ($)
(20% min.) (20% min.) (20% min.)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Alabama MBOC................................ 162,500 130,000 32,500 162,500 130,000 32,500 162,500 130,000 32,500
Chicago MBOC................................ 375,000 300,000 75,000 375,000 300,000 75,000 375,000 300,000 75,000
Florida MBOC................................ 250,000 200,000 50,000 250,000 200,000 50,000 250,000 200,000 50,000
Gary MBOC................................... 162,500 130,000 32,500 162,500 130,000 32,500 162,500 130,000 32,500
Los Angeles MBOC............................ 375,000 300,000 75,000 375,000 300,000 75,000 375,000 300,000 75,000
Louisiana MBOC.............................. 325,000 260,000 65,000 325,000 260,000 65,000 325,000 260,000 65,000
Washington, DC MBOC......................... 375,000 300,000 75,000 375,000 300,000 75,000 375,000 300,000 75,000
Wisconsin MBOC.............................. 162,500 130,000 32,500 162,500 130,000 32,500 162,500 130,000 32,500
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Applicants must submit project plans and budgets for each of the
three (3) program years under the award (April 1, 2008-March 31, 2009,
April 1, 2009-March 31, 2010 and April 1, 2010-March 31, 2011).
Projects will be funded for no more than one year at a time. Project
operators will not compete for funding in subsequent program years
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
ratings. 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 MBOC 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. 1512 and Executive Order 11625.
Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance (CFDA): 11.803, Minority
Business Opportunity Center Program.
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 an MBOC.
Program Description: MBDA is soliciting competitive applications
from organizations to operate a Minority Business Opportunity Center
(MBOC) (formerly the Minority Business Opportunity Committee Program).
The MBOC will operate through the use of trained professional business
consultants who will assist eligible minority entrepreneurs through
direct client engagements. The MBOC is supported by a volunteer
advisory committee that assists the MBOC operator in implementing
program
[[Page 70306]]
requirements and providing contract and financing opportunities to
eligible minority entrepreneurs.
Minority entrepreneurs eligible for assistance under the MBOC
Program are African Americans, Puerto Ricans, Spanish-speaking
Americans, Aleuts, Asian Pacific Americans, Native Americans (including
Alaska Natives, Alaska Native Corporations and tribal entities),
Eskimos, Asian Indians and Hasidic Jews. No service may be denied to
any member of the eligible groups listed above.
The MBOC Program generally requires project staff to provide
standardized business assistance and brokering services directly to
eligible MBE clients, with an emphasis on those firms with $500,000 or
more in annual revenues 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. MBOC operators will assist MBE
clients in accessing federal and non-federal contracting and financing
opportunities that result in demonstrable client outcomes. The MBOC
Program's primary evaluation criterion is the dollar value of contracts
and financial transactions awarded to MBEs. MBOCs also provide business
assistance services including but not limited to assessing client
capabilities and needs, and assisting the client in developing a course
of action to successfully obtain contracts and financial transactions.
Specific work requirements and performance metrics are used by MBDA to
evaluate each project and are a key component of the MBOC program and
are fully set forth in the FFO.
The MBOC Program also incorporates an entrepreneurial approach to
building market stability and improving quality of services delivered.
This strategy expands the reach of the MBOCs by requiring project
operators to develop and build upon strategic alliances with public and
private sector partners, as a means of serving minority-owned firms
within each MBOC's geographical service area. This entrepreneurial
strategy expands the reach of the MBOCs by requiring project operators
to develop and build upon its advisory committee and strategic
alliances with public and private sector partners as a means of serving
minority-owned firms within each MBOC's geographical service area. The
MBOC Program is also designed to leverage MBDA resources including but
not limited to: MBDA Office of Business Development; MBDA National
Enterprise Centers; MBDA Business Internet Portal; and MBDA's network
of Native American Business Enterprise Centers (NABECs), Minority
Business Enterprise Centers (MBECs), and other MBOCs. MBOC operators
are required to attend a variety of MBDA training programs designed to
increase operational efficiencies and the provision of value-added
client services.
MBOC operators are generally required to provide the following
three client services: (1) Facilitate the Award of Contract and
Financial Transactions--this involves providing business assistance and
brokering services to minority-owned businesses, including the
identification of public and private sector contract and financing
opportunities; (2) MBOC Advisory Committee and Subcommittees--this
involves the establishment and operation of an advisory committee
consisting of public and private sector executives and key decision
makers that assists the MBOC operator in implementing its program and
in identifying upcoming contract and financing opportunities for MBEs;
and (3) Program Promotion and Advocacy--the MBOC operator is required
to promote its activities within the minority business community and to
advocate the use of minority businesses with respect to contracting and
financing opportunities.
Please refer to the FFO pertaining to this competitive solicitation
for a full and complete description of the application and programmatic
requirements under the MBOC Program.
Match Requirements: The MBOC Program requires a minimum non-federal
cost share of 20%, 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 in 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 MBOC
operator 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 20% (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 minority
community, minority business sector and strategies for enhancing its
growth and expansion; particular emphasis shall be on expanding SGI
firms. Consideration will be given as to whether the applicant has an
``established presence'' in the applicable MBOC geographical service
area at the time of its application. For this purpose, ``established
presence'' means that the applicant has had an office in the applicable
MBOC geographical service area for at least three (3) years preceding
the date of this FFO and has established working relationships with
purchasing and financing organizations in such area (4 points);
(b) Business Consulting (Brokering)--Experience in and knowledge of
brokering procurements and financial transaction with respect to
minority firms, with an emphasis on SGI firms in the applicable MBOC
geographical service area (5 points);
(c) Financing--Experience in and knowledge of the preparation and
formulation of successful financial transactions, with an emphasis on
the applicable MBOC geographical service area (5 points);
(d) Procurements and Contracting--Experience in and knowledge of
the public and private sector contracting opportunities for minority
businesses, as well as demonstrated expertise in assisting clients into
supply chains (5 points);
(e) Financing Networks--Resources and professional relationships
within
[[Page 70307]]
the corporate, banking and investment community that may be beneficial
to 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 MBE
community beyond the three-year MBDA award period (3 points);
(g) MBE Advocacy--Experience and expertise in advocating on behalf
of minority communities 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 MBOC. 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 MBOC (8 points);
(b) Location--Assessment of the applicant's strategic rationale for
the proposed physical location of the MBOC. Applicant is encouraged to
establish a location for the MBOC that is in a building which is
separate and apart from any of the applicant's existing offices in the
geographical 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 MBOC in meeting program performance goals (5 points);
and
(d) Equipment--How the applicant plans to satisfy the MBOC
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 applicable MBOC
geographical service area (including existing client list); how the
applicant will create MBOC brand recognition (marketing plan); and how
the applicant will satisfy program performance goals. In particular,
emphasis may be placed on the manner in which the applicant matches
MBOC 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 MBOC operations
within the initial 30-day period. The MBOC 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 20% 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 MBOC
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 20% of the total project costs
will be awarded bonus points on the following scale: more than 20%--
less than 25% = 1 point; 25% or more--less than 30% = 2 points; 30% or
more--less than 35% = 3 points; 35% or more--less than 40% = 4 points;
and 40% or more = 5 points. Non-federal cost sharing of at least 20% is
required under the MBOC 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 in a combination thereof): (1) Client fees (if
proposed); (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
MBOC (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 an MBOC. 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
[[Page 70308]]
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. MBOC 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). 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: December 6, 2007.
Ronald N. Langston,
National Director, Minority Business Development Agency.
[FR Doc. E7-23990 Filed 12-10-07; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-21-P
