Notice of Funding Availability for the Small Business Transportation Resource Center Program, 10862-10867 [2014-04155]

Download as PDF 10862 Federal Register / Vol. 79, No. 38 / Wednesday, February 26, 2014 / Notices the Act 4 and Rule 19b–4(f)(3) 5 thereunder. At any time within 60 days of the filing of such proposed rule change, the Commission may summarily temporarily suspend such rule change if it appears to the Commission that such action is necessary or appropriate in the public interest, for the protection of investors, or otherwise in furtherance of the purposes of the Act. If the Commission takes such action, the Commission shall institute proceedings to determine whether the proposed rule should be approved or disapproved. IV. Solicitation of Comments Interested persons are invited to submit written data, views, and arguments concerning the foregoing, including whether the proposed rule change is consistent with the Act. Comments may be submitted by any of the following methods: tkelley on DSK3SPTVN1PROD with NOTICES Electronic Comments • Use the Commission’s Internet comment form https://www.sec.gov/ rules/sro.shtml; or • Send an email to rule-comments@ sec.gov. Please include File No. SR– Topaz–2014–06 on the subject line. Paper Comments • Send paper comments in triplicate to Elizabeth M. Murphy, Secretary, Securities and Exchange Commission, 100 F Street NE., Washington, DC 20549–1090. All submissions should refer to File Number SR–Topaz–2014–06. This file number should be included on the subject line if email is used. To help the Commission process and review your comments more efficiently, please use only one method. The Commission will post all comments on the Commission’s Internet Web site (https://www.sec.gov/rules/ sro.shtml). Copies of the submission, all subsequent amendments, all written statements with respect to the proposed rule change that are filed with the Commission, and all written communications relating to the proposed rule change between the Commission and any person, other than those that may be withheld from the public in accordance with the provisions of 5 U.S.C. 552, will be available for Web site viewing and printing in the Commission’s Public Reference Room, 100 F Street NE., Washington, DC 20549, on official business days between the hours of 10:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m. Copies of the filing also will be available for 4 15 5 17 U.S.C. 78s(b)(3)(A). CFR 19b–4(f)(3). VerDate Mar<15>2010 18:48 Feb 25, 2014 inspection and copying at the principal office of the Exchange. All comments received will be posted without change; the Commission does not edit personal identifying information from submissions. You should submit only information that you wish to make available publicly. All submissions should refer to File Number SR–Topaz– 2014–06 and should be submitted on or before March 19, 2014. For the Commission, by the Division of Trading and Markets, pursuant to delegated authority.6 Kevin M. O’Neill, Deputy Secretary. [FR Doc. 2014–04129 Filed 2–25–14; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 8011–01–P DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION Office of the Secretary of Transportation Notice of Funding Availability for the Small Business Transportation Resource Center Program Office of Small and Disadvantaged Business Utilization (OSDBU), Office of the Secretary of Transportation (OST), Department of Transportation (DOT). ACTION: Notice of Funding Availability for the South Atlantic Region SBTRC. AGENCY: The Department of Transportation (DOT), Office of the Secretary (OST), Office of Small and Disadvantaged Business Utilization (OSDBU) announces the opportunity for; (1) business centered communitybased organizations; (2) transportationrelated trade associations; (3) colleges and universities; (4) community colleges or; (5) chambers of commerce, registered with the Internal Revenue Service as 501 C(6) or 501 C(3) tax-exempt organizations, to compete for participation in OSDBU’s Small Business Transportation Resource Center (SBTRC) program in the South Atlantic Region (Kentucky, North Carolina, Virginia, West Virginia). OSDBU will enter into Cooperative Agreements with these organizations to provide outreach to the small business community in their designated region and provide financial and technical assistance, business training programs, business assessment, management training, counseling, marketing and outreach, and the dissemination of information, to encourage and assist small businesses to become better prepared to compete for, obtain, and SUMMARY: 6 17 Jkt 232001 PO 00000 Fmt 4703 Program Authority: DOT is authorized under 49 U.S.C. § 332 (b) (4), (5) & (7) to design and carry out programs to assist small disadvantaged businesses in getting transportation-related contracts and subcontracts; develop support mechanisms, including management and technical services, that will enable small disadvantaged businesses to take advantage of those business opportunities; and to make arrangements to carry out the above purposes. Complete Proposals must be electronically submitted to OSDBU via email on or before March 14, 2014 6:00 p.m. Eastern Standard Time (EST). Proposals received after the deadline will be considered non-responsive and will not be reviewed. The applicant is advised to request delivery receipt notification for email submissions. DOT plans to give notice of award for the competed region on or before March 28, 2014. ADDRESSES: Applications must be electronically submitted to OSDBU via email at SBTRC@dot.gov. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For further information concerning this notice, contact Mr. Mark Antoniewicz, Small Business Specialist, U.S. Department of Transportation, Office of Small and Disadvantaged Business Utilization, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE. W56–462, Washington, DC, 20590. Telephone: (202) 366–1930. Email: mark.antoniewicz@dot.gov. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: DATES: Table of Contents 1. Introduction CFR 200.30–3(a)(12). Frm 00100 manage DOT funded transportationrelated contracts and subcontracts at the federal, state and local levels. Throughout this notice, the term ‘‘small business’’ will refer to: 8(a), small disadvantaged businesses (SDB), disadvantaged business enterprises (DBE), women owned small businesses (WOSB), HubZone, service disabled veteran owned businesses (SDVOB), and veteran owned small businesses (VOSB). Throughout this notice, ‘‘transportation-related’’ is defined as the maintenance, rehabilitation, restructuring, improvement, or revitalization of any of the nation’s modes of transportation. Funding Opportunity Number: USDOT–OST–OSDBU–SBTRC–2014– 16. Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance (CFDA) Number: 20.910 Assistance to small and disadvantaged businesses. Type of Award: Cooperative Agreement Grant. Award Ceiling: $145,000. Award Floor: $120,000. Sfmt 4703 E:\FR\FM\26FEN1.SGM 26FEN1 Federal Register / Vol. 79, No. 38 / Wednesday, February 26, 2014 / Notices 1.1 Background 1.2 Program Description and Goals 1.3 Description of Competition 1.4 Duration of Agreements 1.5 Authority 1.6 Eligibility Requirements 2. Program Requirements 2.1 Recipient Responsibilities 2.2 Office of Small and Disadvantaged Business Utilization Responsibilities 3. Submission of Proposals 3.1 Format for Proposals 3.2 Address, Number of Copies, Deadline for Submission 4. Selection Criteria 4.1 General Criteria 4.2 Scoring of Applications 4.3 Conflicts of Interest Format for Proposals—Appendix A 1.1 Background The DOT established OSDBU in accordance with Public Law 95–507, an amendment to the Small Business Act and the Small Business Investment Act of 1958. The mission of OSDBU at DOT is to ensure that the small and disadvantaged business policies and goals of the Secretary of Transportation are developed and implemented in a fair, efficient and effective manner to serve small and disadvantaged businesses throughout the country. The OSDBU also administers the provisions of Title 49, Section 332, the Minority Resource Center (MRC) which includes the duties of advocacy, outreach and financial services on behalf of small and disadvantaged business and those certified under CFR 49 parts 23 and or 26 as Disadvantaged Business Enterprises (DBE) and the development of programs to encourage, stimulate, promote and assist small businesses to become better prepared to compete for, obtain and manage transportationrelated contracts and subcontracts. The Regional Assistance Division of OSDBU, through the SBTRC program, allows OSDBU to partner with local organizations to offer a comprehensive delivery system of business training, technical assistance and dissemination of information, targeted towards small business transportation enterprises in their regions. grantees and recipients, prime contractors and subcontractors. In order to be effective and serve their target audience, the SBTRCs must be active in the local transportation community in order to identify and communicate opportunities and provide the required technical assistance. SBTRCs must already have, or demonstrate the ability to, establish working relationships with the state and local transportation agencies and technical assistance agencies (i.e. The U.S. Department of Commerce’s Minority Business Development Centers (MBDCs), Small Business Development Centers (SBDCs), and Procurement Technical Assistance Centers (PTACs), SCORE and State DOT highway supportive services contractors in their region. Utilizing these relationships and their own expertise, the SBTRCs are involved in activities such as information dissemination, small business counseling, and technical assistance with small businesses currently doing business with public and private entities in the transportation industry. Effective outreach is critical to the success of the SBTRC program. In order for their outreach efforts to be effective, SBTRCs must be familiar with DOT’s Operating Administrations, its funding sources, and how funding is awarded to DOT grantees, recipients, contractors, subcontractors, and its financial assistance programs. SBTRCs must provide outreach to the regional small business transportation community to disseminate information and distribute DOT-published marketing materials, such as Short Term Lending Program (STLP) Information, Bonding Education Program (BEP) information, SBTRC brochures and literature, Procurement Forecasts; Contracting with DOT booklets, Women and Girls in Transportation Initiative (WITI) information, and any other materials or resources that DOT or OSDBU may develop for this purpose. To maximize outreach, the SBTRC may be called upon to participate in regional and national conferences and seminars. Quantities of DOT publications for onhand inventory and dissemination at conferences and seminars will be available upon request from the OSDBU office. 1.2 Program Description and Goals The national SBTRC program utilizes Cooperative Agreements with chambers of commerce, trade associations, educational institutions and businesscentered community based organizations to establish SBTRCs to provide business training, technical assistance and information to DOT 1.3 Description of Competition The purpose of this Request For Proposal (RFP) is to solicit proposals from transportation-related trade associations, chambers of commerce, community based entities, colleges and universities, community colleges, and any other qualifying transportationrelated non-profit organizations with the Full Text of Announcement tkelley on DSK3SPTVN1PROD with NOTICES 1. Introduction VerDate Mar<15>2010 17:24 Feb 25, 2014 Jkt 232001 PO 00000 Frm 00101 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 10863 desire and ability to partner with OSDBU to establish and maintain an SBTRC. It is OSDBU’s intent to award a Cooperative Agreement to one organization in the South Atlantic Region, from herein referred to as ‘‘region’’, in this solicitation. However, if warranted, OSDBU reserves the option to make multiple awards to selected partners. Proposals submitted for a region must contain a plan to service the states throughout the South Atlantic Region (Kentucky, North Carolina, Virginia, West Virginia) the entire region, not just the SBTRC’s state or local geographical area. The region’s SBTRC headquarters must be established in one of the designated states set forth below. Submitted proposals must also contain justification for the establishment of the SBTRC headquarters in a particular city within the designated state. SBTRC Region Competed in This Solicitation South Atlantic Regions: North Carolina Virginia Kentucky West Virginia Program requirements and selection criteria, set forth in Sections 2 and 4 respectively, indicate that the OSDBU intends for the SBTRC to be multidimensional; that is, the selected organization must have the capacity to effectively access and provide supportive services to the broad range of small businesses within the respective geographical region. To this end, the SBTRC must be able to demonstrate that they currently have established relationships within the geographic region with whom they may coordinate and establish effective networks with DOT grant recipients and local/regional technical assistance agencies to maximize resources. Cooperative agreement awards will be distributed to the region(s) as follows: South Atlantic Region Ceiling: $145,000 per year Floor: $120,000 per year Cooperative agreement awards by region are based upon an analysis of DBEs, Certified Small Businesses, and US DOT transportation dollars in each region. It is OSDBU’s intent to maximize the benefits received by the small business transportation community through the SBTRC. Funding may be utilized to reimburse an on-site Project Director up to 100% of salary plus fringe benefits, an on-site Executive Director up to 20% of salary plus fringe benefits, up to E:\FR\FM\26FEN1.SGM 26FEN1 10864 Federal Register / Vol. 79, No. 38 / Wednesday, February 26, 2014 / Notices 100% of a Project Coordinator salary plus fringe benefits, the cost of designated SBTRC space, other direct costs, and all other general and administrative expenses. Selected SBTRC partners will be expected to provide in-kind administrative support. Submitted proposals must contain an alternative funding source with which the SBTRC will fund administrative support costs. Preference will be given to proposals containing in-kind contributions for the Project Director, the Executive Director, the Project Coordinator, cost of designated SBTRC space, other direct costs, and all other general and administrative expenses. 1.4 Duration of Agreements The cooperative agreement will be awarded for a period of 12 months (one year) with options for two (2) additional one year periods. OSDBU will notify the SBTRC of our intention to exercise an option year or not to exercise an option year 30 days in advance of expiration of the current year. tkelley on DSK3SPTVN1PROD with NOTICES 1.5 Authority DOT is authorized under 49 U.S.C. § 332(b)(4), (5) & (7) to design and carry out programs to assist small disadvantaged businesses in getting transportation-related contracts and subcontracts; develop support mechanisms, including management and technical services, that will enable small disadvantaged businesses to take advantage of those business opportunities; and to make arrangements to carry out the above purposes. 1.6 Eligibility Requirements To be eligible, an organization must be an established, nonprofit, community-based organization, transportation-related trade association, chamber of commerce, college or university, community college, and any other qualifying transportation-related non-profit organization which has the documented experience and capacity necessary to successfully operate and administer a coordinated delivery system that provides access for small businesses to prepare and compete for transportation-related contracts. In addition, to be eligible, the applicant organization must: (A) Be an established 501C(3) or 501C(6) tax-exempt organization and provide documentation as verification. No application will be accepted without proof of tax-exempt status; (B) Have at least one year of documented and continuous experience prior to the date of application in providing advocacy, outreach, and VerDate Mar<15>2010 17:24 Feb 25, 2014 Jkt 232001 technical assistance to small businesses within the region in which proposed services will be provided. Prior performance providing services to the transportation community is preferable, but not required; and (C) Have an office physically located within the proposed city in the designated headquarters state in the region for which they are submitting the proposal that is readily accessible to the public. 2. 2.1 Program Requirements Recipient Responsibilities (A) Assessments, Business Analyses 1. Conduct an assessment of small businesses in the SBTRC region to determine their training and technical assistance needs, and use information that is available at no cost to structure programs and services that will enable small businesses to become better prepared to compete for and receive transportation-related contract awards. 2. Contact other federal, state and local government agencies, such as the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA), state and local highway agencies, state and local airport authorities, and transit authorities to identify relevant and current information that may support the assessment of the regional small business transportation community needs. (B) General Management & Technical Training and Assistance 1. Utilize OSDBU’s Intake Form to document each small business assisted by the SBTRC and type of service(s) provided. The completed form must be transmitted electronically to the SBTRC Program Analyst on a quarterly basis, accompanied by a narrative report on the activities and performance results for that period. The data gathered must be supportive by the narrative and must relate to the numerical data on the quarterly reports. 2. Ensure that an array of information is made available for distribution to the small business transportation community that is designed to inform and educate the community on DOT/ OSDBU services and opportunities. 3. Coordinate efforts with OSDBU’s in order to maintain an on-hand inventory of DOT/OSDBU informational materials for general dissemination and for distribution at transportation-related conferences and other events. (C) Business Counseling 1. Collaborate with agencies, such as State, Regional, and Local Transportation Government Agencies, SBA, U.S. Department of Commerce’s PO 00000 Frm 00102 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 Minority Business Development Centers (MBDCs), Service Corps of Retired Executives (SCORE), Procurement Technical Assistance Centers (PTACs), and Small Business Development Centers (SBDCs), to offer a broad range of counseling services to transportationrelated small business enterprises. 2. Create a technical assistance plan that will provide each counseled participant with the knowledge and skills necessary to improve the management of their own small business to expand their transportationrelated contracts and subcontracts portfolio. 3. Provide a minimum of 20 hours of individual or group counseling sessions to small businesses per month. (D) Planning Committee 1. Establish a Regional Planning Committee consisting of at least 7 members that includes representatives from the regional community and federal, state, and local agencies. The highway, airport, and transit authorities for the SBTRC’s headquarters state must have representation on the planning committee. This committee shall be established no later than 60 days after the execution of the Cooperative agreement between the OSDBU and the selected SBRTC. 2. Provide a forum for the federal, state, and local agencies to disseminate information about upcoming procurements. 3. Hold either monthly or quarterly meetings at a time and place agreed upon by SBTRC and planning committee members. 4. Use the initial session (teleconference call) by the SBTRC explain the mission of the committee and identify roles of the staff and the members of the group. 5. Responsibility for the agenda and direction of the Planning Committee should be handled by the SBTRC Executive Director or his/her designee. (E) Outreach Services/Conference Participation 1. Utilize the services of the System for Award Management (SAM) and other sources to construct a database of regional small businesses that currently or may in the future participate in DOT direct and DOT funded transportation related contracts, and make this database available to OSDBU, upon request. 2. Utilize the database of regional transportation-related small businesses to match opportunities identified through the planning committee forum, FedBiz Opps (a web-based system for posting solicitations and other Federal E:\FR\FM\26FEN1.SGM 26FEN1 Federal Register / Vol. 79, No. 38 / Wednesday, February 26, 2014 / Notices tkelley on DSK3SPTVN1PROD with NOTICES procurement-related documents on the Internet), and other sources to eligible small businesses and inform the small business community about those opportunities. 3. Develop a ‘‘targeted’’ database of firms (100–150) that have the capacity and capabilities, and are ready, willing and able to participate in DOT contracts and subcontracts immediately. This control group will receive ample resources from the SBTRC, i.e., access to working capital, bonding assistance, business counseling, management assistance and direct referrals to DOT agencies at the state and local levels, and to prime contractors as effective subcontractor firms. 4. Identify regional, state and local conferences where a significant number of small businesses, with transportation related capabilities, are expected to be in attendance. Maintain and submit a list of those events to the SBTRC Program Analyst for review and posting on the OSDBU Web site on a monthly basis. Clearly identify the events designated for SBTRC participation and include recommendations for OSDBU participation. 5. Conduct outreach and disseminate information to small businesses at regional transportation-related conferences, seminars, and workshops. In the event that the SBTRC is requested to participate in an event, the SBTRC will send DOT materials, the OSDBU banner and other information that is deemed necessary for the event. 6. Submit a conference summary report to OSDBU no later than 5 business days after participation in the event or conference. The conference summary report must summarize activities, contacts, outreach results, and recommendations for continued or discontinued participation in future similar events sponsored by that organization. 7. Upon request by OSDBU, coordinate efforts with DOT’s grantees and recipients at the state and/or local levels to sponsor or cosponsor an OSDBU transportation related conference in the region. 8. Participate in monthly teleconference call with the Regional Assistance Division Manager and OSDBU staff. (F) Short Term Lending Program (STLP) 1. Work with STLP participating banks and if not available, other lending institutions to deliver a minimum of five (5) seminars/workshops per year on the STLP financial assistance program to the transportation-related small business community. The seminar/ workshop must cover the entire STLP VerDate Mar<15>2010 17:24 Feb 25, 2014 Jkt 232001 process, from completion of STLP loan applications and preparation of the loan package to graduation from the STLP. 2. Provide direct support, technical support, and advocacy services to potential STLP applicants to increase the probability of STLP loan approval and generate a minimum of seven (7) completed STLP applications per year. (G) Bonding Education Program (BEP) Work with OSDBU, bonding industry partners, local small business transportation stakeholders, and local bond producers/agents in your region to deliver a minimum of 2 complete BEP seminars. The BEP consists of the following components; 1) the stakeholder’s meeting; 2) the educational workshops component; 3) the bond readiness component; and 4) follow-on assistance to BEP participants via technical and procurement assistance based on the prescriptive plan determined by the BEP. For each BEP event, work with the local bond producers/agents in your region and the disadvantaged business participants to deliver minimum of 10 disadvantaged business participants in the BEP event with either access to bonding or an increase in bonding capacity. Furnish all labor, facilities and equipment to perform the services described in this announcement. (H) Women and Girls in Transportation Initiative (WITI) Pursuant to Executive Order 13506, and 49 U.S.C. § 332(b)(4) & (7), the SBTRC shall administer the WITI in their geographical region. The SBTRC shall implement the DOT WITI program as defined by the DOT WITI Policy. The WITI program is designed to identify, educate, attract, retain women and girls from a variety of disciplines in the transportation industry. The SBTRC shall also be responsible for outreach activities in the implementation of this program and advertising the WITI program to all colleges and universities and transportation entities in their region. The WITI program shall be developed in conjunction with the skill needs of the USDOT, state and local transportation agencies and appropriate private sector transportation-related participants including, S/WOBs/DBEs, and women organizations involved in transportation. Emphasis shall be placed on establishing partnerships with transportation-related businesses. The SBTRC will be required to host 1 WITI event and attend at least 5 events where WITI is presented and marketed. PO 00000 Frm 00103 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 10865 2.2 Office of Small and Disadvantaged Business Utilization (OSDBU) Responsibilities (A) Provide consultation and technical assistance in planning, implementing and evaluating activities under this announcement. (B) Provide orientation and training to the applicant organization. (C) Monitor SBTRC activities, cooperative agreement compliance, and overall SBTRC performance. (D) Assist SBTRC to develop or strengthen its relationships with federal, state, and local transportation authorities, other technical assistance organizations, and DOT grantees. (E) Facilitate the exchange and transfer of successful program activities and information among all SBTRC regions. (F) Provide the SBTRC with DOT/ OSDBU materials and other relevant transportation related information for dissemination. (G) Maintain effective communication with the SBTRC and inform them of transportation news and contracting opportunities to share with small businesses in their region. (H) Provide all required forms to be used by the SBTRC for reporting purposes under the program. (I) Perform an annual performance evaluation of the SBTRC. Satisfactory performance is a condition of continued participation of the organization as an SBTRC and execution of all option years. 3. Submission of Proposals 3.1 Format for Proposals Each proposal must be submitted to DOT’s OSDBU in the format set forth in the application form attached as Appendix A to this announcement. 3.2 Address; Number of Copies; Deadlines for Submission Any eligible organization, as defined in Section 1.6 of this announcement, will submit only one proposal per state for consideration by OSDBU. Applications must be double spaced, and printed in a font size not smaller than 12 points. Applications will not exceed 35 single-sided pages, not including any requested attachments. All pages should be numbered at the top of each page. All documentation, attachments, or other information pertinent to the application must be included in a single submission. Proposal packages must be submitted electronically to OSDBU at SBTRC@ dot.gov. The applicant is advised to turn on request delivery receipt notification for E:\FR\FM\26FEN1.SGM 26FEN1 10866 Federal Register / Vol. 79, No. 38 / Wednesday, February 26, 2014 / Notices email submission. Proposals must be received by DOT/OSDBU no later than March 14, 2014 6:00 p.m. Eastern Standard Time (EST). 4. Selection Criteria 4.1 General Criteria OSDBU will award the cooperative agreement on a best value basis, using the following criteria to rate and rank applications: Applications will be evaluated using a point system (maximum number of points = 100); • Approach and strategy (25 points) • Linkages (25 points) • Organizational Capability (25 points) • Staff Capabilities and Experience (15 points) • Cost Proposal (10 points) (A) Approach and Strategy (25 Points) The applicant must describe their strategy to achieve the overall mission of the SBTRC as described in this solicitation and service the small business community in their entire geographic regional area. The applicant must also describe how the specific activities outlined in Section 2.1 will be implemented and executed in the organization’s regional area. OSDBU will consider the extent to which the proposed objectives are specific, measurable, time-specific, and consistent with OSDBU goals and the applicant organization’s overall mission. OSDBU will give priority consideration to applicants that demonstrate innovation and creativity in their approach to assist small businesses to become successful transportation contractors and increase their ability to access DOT contracting opportunities and financial assistance programs. Applicants must also submit the estimated direct costs, other than labor, to execute their proposed strategy. OSDBU will consider the quality of the applicant’s plan for conducting program activities and the likelihood that the proposed methods will be successful in achieving proposed objectives at the proposed cost. tkelley on DSK3SPTVN1PROD with NOTICES (B) Linkages (25 Points) The applicant must describe their established relationships within their geographic region and demonstrate their ability to coordinate and establish effective networks with DOT grant recipients and local/regional technical assistance agencies to maximize resources. OSDBU will consider innovative aspects of the applicant’s approach and strategy to build upon their existing relationships and VerDate Mar<15>2010 17:24 Feb 25, 2014 Jkt 232001 established networks with existing resources in their geographical area. The applicant should describe their strategy to obtain support and collaboration on SBTRC activities from DOT grantees and recipients, transportation prime contractors and subcontractors, the SBA, U.S. Department of Commerce’s Minority Business Development Centers (MBDCs), Service Corps of Retired Executives (SCORE), Procurement Technical Assistance Centers (PTACs), Small Business Development Centers (SBDCs), State DOTs, and State highway supportive services contractors. In rating this factor, OSDBU will consider the extent to which the applicant demonstrates ability to be multidimensional. The applicant must demonstrate that they have the ability to access a broad range of supportive services to effectively serve a broad range of transportation-related small businesses within their respective geographical region. Emphasis will also be placed on the extent to which the applicant identifies a clear outreach strategy related to the identified needs that can be successfully carried out within the period of this agreement and a plan for involving the Planning Committee in the execution of that strategy. (C) Organizational Capability (25 Points) The applicant must demonstrate that they have the organizational capability to meet the program requirements set forth in Section 2. The applicant organization must have sufficient resources and past performance experience to successfully provide outreach to the small business transportation resources in their geographical area and carry out the mission of the SBTRC. In rating this factor, OSDBU will consider the extent to which the applicant’s organization has recent, relevant and successful experience in advocating for and addressing the needs of small businesses. Applicants will be given points for demonstrated past transportation-related performance. The applicant must also describe technical and administrative resources it plans to use in achieving proposed objectives. In their description, the applicant must describe their facilities, computer and technical facilities, ability to tap into volunteer staff time, and a plan for sufficient matching alternative financial resources to fund the general and administrative costs of the SBTRC. The applicant must also describe their administrative and financial management staff. It will be the responsibility of the successful candidate to not only provide the PO 00000 Frm 00104 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 services outlined herein to small businesses in the transportation industry, but to also successfully manage and maintain their internal financial, payment, and invoicing process with their financial management offices. OSDBU will place an emphasis on capabilities of the applicant’s financial management staff. Additionally a site visit will be required prior to award for those candidates that are being strongly considered. A member of the OSDBU team will contact those candidates to schedule the site visits prior to the award of the agreement. (D) Staff Capability and Experience (15 Points) The applicant organization must provide a list of proposed personnel for the project, with salaries, fringe benefit burden factors, educational levels and previous experience clearly delineated. The applicant’s project team must be well-qualified, knowledgeable, and able to effectively serve the diverse and broad range of small businesses in their geographical region. The Executive Director and the Project Director shall be deemed key personnel. Detailed resumes must be submitted for all proposed key personnel and outside consultants and subcontractors. Proposed key personnel must have detailed demonstrated experience providing services similar in scope and nature to the proposed effort. The proposed Project Director will serve as the responsible individual for the program. 100% of the Project Director’s time must be dedicated to the SBTRC. Both the Executive Director and the Project Director must be located on-site. In this element, OSDBU will consider the extent to which the applicant’s proposed Staffing Plan; (a) clearly meets the education and experience requirements to accomplish the objectives of the cooperative agreement; (b) delineates staff responsibilities and accountability for all work required and; (c) presents a clear and feasible ability to execute the applicant’s proposed approach and strategy. (E) Cost Proposal (10 Points) Applicants must submit the total proposed cost of establishing and administering the SBTRC in the applicant’s geographical region for a 12 month period, inclusive of costs funded through alternative matching resources. The applicant’s budget must be adequate to support the proposed strategy and costs must be reasonable in relation to project objectives. The portion of the submitted budget funded by OSDBU cannot exceed the ceiling E:\FR\FM\26FEN1.SGM 26FEN1 Federal Register / Vol. 79, No. 38 / Wednesday, February 26, 2014 / Notices outlined in Section 1.3: Description of Competition of this RFP per fiscal year. Applicants are encouraged to provide in-kind costs and other innovative cost approaches. 4.2 Scoring of Applications A review panel will score each application based upon the evaluation criteria listed above. Points will be given for each evaluation criteria category, not to exceed the maximum number of points allowed for each category. Proposals which are deemed non–responsive, do not meet the established criteria, or incomplete at the time of submission will be disqualified. OSDBU will perform a responsibility determination of the prospective awardee in the region, which may include a site visit, before awarding the cooperative agreement. 4.3 Conflicts of Interest Applicants must submit signed statements by key personnel and all organization principals indicating that they, or members of their immediate families, do not have a personal, business or financial interest in any DOT-funded transportation project, nor any relationships with local or state transportation agencies that may have the appearance of a conflict of interest. Appendix A Format for Proposals for the Department of Transportation Office of Small and Disadvantaged Business Utilization’s Small Business Transportation Resource Center (SBTRC) Program Submitted proposals for the DOT, Office of Small and Disadvantaged Business Utilization’s Small Business Transportation Resource Center Program must contain the following 12 sections and be organized in the following order: 1. TABLE OF CONTENTS Identify all parts, sections and attachments of the application. tkelley on DSK3SPTVN1PROD with NOTICES 2. APPLICATION SUMMARY Provide a summary overview of the following: • The applicant’s proposed SBTRC region and city and key elements of the plan of action/strategy to achieve the SBTRC objectives. • The applicant’s relevant organizational experience and capabilities. 3. UNDERSTANDING OF THE WORK Provide a narrative which contains specific project information as follows: • The applicant will describe its understanding of the OSDBU’s SBTRC program mission and the role of the applicant’s proposed SBTRC in advancing the program goals. • The applicant will describe specific outreach needs of transportation-related VerDate Mar<15>2010 17:24 Feb 25, 2014 Jkt 232001 small businesses in the applicant’s region and how the SBTRC will address the identified needs. 4. APPROACH AND STRATEGY • Describe the applicant’s plan of action/ strategy for conducting the program in terms of the tasks to be performed. • Describe the specific services or activities to be performed and how these services/activities will be implemented. • Describe innovative and creative approaches to assist small businesses to become successful transportation contractors and increase their ability to access DOT contracting opportunities and financial assistance programs. • Estimated direct costs, other than labor, to execute the proposed strategy. 5. LINKAGES • Describe established relationships within the geographic region and demonstrate the ability to coordinate and establish effective networks with DOT grant recipients and local/regional technical assistance agencies. • Describe the strategy to obtain support and collaboration on SBTRC activities from DOT grantees and recipients, transportation prime contractors and subcontractors, the SBA, U.S. Department of Commerce’s Minority Business Development Centers (MBDCs), Service Corps of Retired Executives (SCORE), Procurement Technical Assistance Centers (PTACs), Small Business Development Centers (SBDCs), State DOTs, and State highway supportive services contractors. • Describe the outreach strategy related to the identified needs that can be successfully carried out within the period of this agreement and a plan for involving the Planning Committee in the execution of that strategy. 6. ORGANIZATIONAL CAPABILITY • Describe recent and relevant past successful performance in addressing the needs of small businesses, particularly with respect to transportation-related small businesses. • Describe internal technical, financial management, and administrative resources. • Propose a plan for sufficient matching alternative financial resources to fund the general and administrative costs of the SBTRC. 7. STAFF CAPABILITY AND EXPERIENCE • List proposed key personnel, their salaries and proposed fringe benefit factors. • Describe the education, qualifications and relevant experience of key personnel. Attach detailed resumes. • Proposed staffing plan. Describe how personnel are to be organized for the program and how they will be used to accomplish program objectives. Outline staff responsibilities, accountability and a schedule for conducting program tasks. 8. COST PROPOSAL • Outline the total proposed cost of establishing and administering the SBTRC in the applicant’s geographical region for a 12 month period, inclusive of costs funded through alternative matching resources. PO 00000 Frm 00105 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 10867 Clearly identify the portion of the costs funded by OSDBU. • Provide a brief narrative linking the cost proposal to the proposed strategy. 9. PROOF OF TAX EXEMPT STATUS 10. ASSURANCES SIGNATURE FORM Complete the attached Standard Form 424B ASSURANCES–NON– CONSTRUCTION PROGRAMS identified as Attachment 1. 11. CERTIFICATION SIGNATURE FORMS Complete form DOTF2307–1 DRUG-FREE WORKPLACE ACT CERTIFICATION FOR a GRANTEE OTHER THAN AN INDIVIDUAL identified as attachment 2 and Form DOTF2308–1 CERTIFICATION REGARDING LOBBYING FOR CONTRACTS, GRANTS, LOANS, AND COOPERATIVE AGREEMENTS identified as Attachment 3. SIGNED CONFLICT OF INTEREST STATEMENTS The statements must say that they, or members of their immediate families, do not have a personal, business or financial interest in any DOT-funded transportation projects, nor any relationships with local or state transportation agencies that may have the appearance of a conflict of interest. 12. STANDARD FORM 424 Complete Standard Form 424 Application for Federal Assistance identified as Attachment 4. PLEASE BE SURE THAT ALL FORMS HAVE BEEN SIGNED BY AN AUTHORIZED OFFICIAL WHO CAN LEGALLY REPRESENT THE ORGANIZATION. Issued in Washington, DC, on February 10, 2014 Brandon Neal, Director, Office of Small and Disadvantaged Business Utilization, Office of the Secretary, U.S. Department of Transportation. [FR Doc. 2014–04155 Filed 2–25–14; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4910–9X–P DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION Federal Aviation Administration [Docket No: FAA–2011–0786] Deadline for Notification of Intent To Use the Airport Improvement Program (AIP) Primary, Cargo, and Nonprimary Entitlement Funds for Fiscal Year 2014. Federal Aviation Administration, DOT. ACTION: Notice. AGENCY: The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) announces May 1, 2014, as the deadline for each airport sponsor to notify the FAA whether or not it will use its fiscal year 2014 entitlement funds available under Section 47114 of Title 49, United States Code, to accomplish Airport Improvement Program (AIP)-eligible SUMMARY: E:\FR\FM\26FEN1.SGM 26FEN1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 79, Number 38 (Wednesday, February 26, 2014)]
[Notices]
[Pages 10862-10867]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2014-04155]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Office of the Secretary of Transportation


Notice of Funding Availability for the Small Business 
Transportation Resource Center Program

AGENCY: Office of Small and Disadvantaged Business Utilization (OSDBU), 
Office of the Secretary of Transportation (OST), Department of 
Transportation (DOT).

ACTION: Notice of Funding Availability for the South Atlantic Region 
SBTRC.

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SUMMARY: The Department of Transportation (DOT), Office of the 
Secretary (OST), Office of Small and Disadvantaged Business Utilization 
(OSDBU) announces the opportunity for; (1) business centered community-
based organizations; (2) transportation-related trade associations; (3) 
colleges and universities; (4) community colleges or; (5) chambers of 
commerce, registered with the Internal Revenue Service as 501 C(6) or 
501 C(3) tax-exempt organizations, to compete for participation in 
OSDBU's Small Business Transportation Resource Center (SBTRC) program 
in the South Atlantic Region (Kentucky, North Carolina, Virginia, West 
Virginia).
    OSDBU will enter into Cooperative Agreements with these 
organizations to provide outreach to the small business community in 
their designated region and provide financial and technical assistance, 
business training programs, business assessment, management training, 
counseling, marketing and outreach, and the dissemination of 
information, to encourage and assist small businesses to become better 
prepared to compete for, obtain, and manage DOT funded transportation-
related contracts and subcontracts at the federal, state and local 
levels. Throughout this notice, the term ``small business'' will refer 
to: 8(a), small disadvantaged businesses (SDB), disadvantaged business 
enterprises (DBE), women owned small businesses (WOSB), HubZone, 
service disabled veteran owned businesses (SDVOB), and veteran owned 
small businesses (VOSB). Throughout this notice, ``transportation-
related'' is defined as the maintenance, rehabilitation, restructuring, 
improvement, or revitalization of any of the nation's modes of 
transportation.
    Funding Opportunity Number: USDOT-OST-OSDBU-SBTRC-2014-16.
    Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance (CFDA) Number: 20.910 
Assistance to small and disadvantaged businesses.
    Type of Award: Cooperative Agreement Grant.
    Award Ceiling: $145,000.
    Award Floor: $120,000.

    Program Authority: DOT is authorized under 49 U.S.C. Sec.  332 
(b) (4), (5) & (7) to design and carry out programs to assist small 
disadvantaged businesses in getting transportation-related contracts 
and subcontracts; develop support mechanisms, including management 
and technical services, that will enable small disadvantaged 
businesses to take advantage of those business opportunities; and to 
make arrangements to carry out the above purposes.

DATES: Complete Proposals must be electronically submitted to OSDBU via 
email on or before March 14, 2014 6:00 p.m. Eastern Standard Time 
(EST). Proposals received after the deadline will be considered non-
responsive and will not be reviewed. The applicant is advised to 
request delivery receipt notification for email submissions. DOT plans 
to give notice of award for the competed region on or before March 28, 
2014.

ADDRESSES: Applications must be electronically submitted to OSDBU via 
email at SBTRC@dot.gov.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For further information concerning 
this notice, contact Mr. Mark Antoniewicz, Small Business Specialist, 
U.S. Department of Transportation, Office of Small and Disadvantaged 
Business Utilization, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE. W56-462, Washington, 
DC, 20590. Telephone: (202) 366-1930. Email: mark.antoniewicz@dot.gov.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

Table of Contents

1. Introduction

[[Page 10863]]

    1.1 Background
    1.2 Program Description and Goals
    1.3 Description of Competition
    1.4 Duration of Agreements
    1.5 Authority
    1.6 Eligibility Requirements
2. Program Requirements
    2.1 Recipient Responsibilities
    2.2 Office of Small and Disadvantaged Business
    Utilization Responsibilities
3. Submission of Proposals
    3.1 Format for Proposals
    3.2 Address, Number of Copies, Deadline for Submission
4. Selection Criteria
    4.1 General Criteria
    4.2 Scoring of Applications
    4.3 Conflicts of Interest
Format for Proposals--Appendix A

Full Text of Announcement

1. Introduction

1.1 Background

    The DOT established OSDBU in accordance with Public Law 95-507, an 
amendment to the Small Business Act and the Small Business Investment 
Act of 1958.
    The mission of OSDBU at DOT is to ensure that the small and 
disadvantaged business policies and goals of the Secretary of 
Transportation are developed and implemented in a fair, efficient and 
effective manner to serve small and disadvantaged businesses throughout 
the country. The OSDBU also administers the provisions of Title 49, 
Section 332, the Minority Resource Center (MRC) which includes the 
duties of advocacy, outreach and financial services on behalf of small 
and disadvantaged business and those certified under CFR 49 parts 23 
and or 26 as Disadvantaged Business Enterprises (DBE) and the 
development of programs to encourage, stimulate, promote and assist 
small businesses to become better prepared to compete for, obtain and 
manage transportation-related contracts and subcontracts.
    The Regional Assistance Division of OSDBU, through the SBTRC 
program, allows OSDBU to partner with local organizations to offer a 
comprehensive delivery system of business training, technical 
assistance and dissemination of information, targeted towards small 
business transportation enterprises in their regions.

1.2 Program Description and Goals

    The national SBTRC program utilizes Cooperative Agreements with 
chambers of commerce, trade associations, educational institutions and 
business-centered community based organizations to establish SBTRCs to 
provide business training, technical assistance and information to DOT 
grantees and recipients, prime contractors and subcontractors. In order 
to be effective and serve their target audience, the SBTRCs must be 
active in the local transportation community in order to identify and 
communicate opportunities and provide the required technical 
assistance. SBTRCs must already have, or demonstrate the ability to, 
establish working relationships with the state and local transportation 
agencies and technical assistance agencies (i.e. The U.S. Department of 
Commerce's Minority Business Development Centers (MBDCs), Small 
Business Development Centers (SBDCs), and Procurement Technical 
Assistance Centers (PTACs), SCORE and State DOT highway supportive 
services contractors in their region. Utilizing these relationships and 
their own expertise, the SBTRCs are involved in activities such as 
information dissemination, small business counseling, and technical 
assistance with small businesses currently doing business with public 
and private entities in the transportation industry.
    Effective outreach is critical to the success of the SBTRC program. 
In order for their outreach efforts to be effective, SBTRCs must be 
familiar with DOT's Operating Administrations, its funding sources, and 
how funding is awarded to DOT grantees, recipients, contractors, 
subcontractors, and its financial assistance programs. SBTRCs must 
provide outreach to the regional small business transportation 
community to disseminate information and distribute DOT-published 
marketing materials, such as Short Term Lending Program (STLP) 
Information, Bonding Education Program (BEP) information, SBTRC 
brochures and literature, Procurement Forecasts; Contracting with DOT 
booklets, Women and Girls in Transportation Initiative (WITI) 
information, and any other materials or resources that DOT or OSDBU may 
develop for this purpose. To maximize outreach, the SBTRC may be called 
upon to participate in regional and national conferences and seminars. 
Quantities of DOT publications for on-hand inventory and dissemination 
at conferences and seminars will be available upon request from the 
OSDBU office.

1.3 Description of Competition

    The purpose of this Request For Proposal (RFP) is to solicit 
proposals from transportation-related trade associations, chambers of 
commerce, community based entities, colleges and universities, 
community colleges, and any other qualifying transportation-related 
non-profit organizations with the desire and ability to partner with 
OSDBU to establish and maintain an SBTRC.
    It is OSDBU's intent to award a Cooperative Agreement to one 
organization in the South Atlantic Region, from herein referred to as 
``region'', in this solicitation. However, if warranted, OSDBU reserves 
the option to make multiple awards to selected partners. Proposals 
submitted for a region must contain a plan to service the states 
throughout the South Atlantic Region (Kentucky, North Carolina, 
Virginia, West Virginia) the entire region, not just the SBTRC's state 
or local geographical area.
    The region's SBTRC headquarters must be established in one of the 
designated states set forth below. Submitted proposals must also 
contain justification for the establishment of the SBTRC headquarters 
in a particular city within the designated state.
SBTRC Region Competed in This Solicitation
South Atlantic Regions:
    North Carolina
    Virginia
    Kentucky
    West Virginia

    Program requirements and selection criteria, set forth in Sections 
2 and 4 respectively, indicate that the OSDBU intends for the SBTRC to 
be multidimensional; that is, the selected organization must have the 
capacity to effectively access and provide supportive services to the 
broad range of small businesses within the respective geographical 
region. To this end, the SBTRC must be able to demonstrate that they 
currently have established relationships within the geographic region 
with whom they may coordinate and establish effective networks with DOT 
grant recipients and local/regional technical assistance agencies to 
maximize resources.
    Cooperative agreement awards will be distributed to the region(s) 
as follows:

South Atlantic Region
    Ceiling: $145,000 per year
    Floor: $120,000 per year

    Cooperative agreement awards by region are based upon an analysis 
of DBEs, Certified Small Businesses, and US DOT transportation dollars 
in each region.
    It is OSDBU's intent to maximize the benefits received by the small 
business transportation community through the SBTRC. Funding may be 
utilized to reimburse an on-site Project Director up to 100% of salary 
plus fringe benefits, an on-site Executive Director up to 20% of salary 
plus fringe benefits, up to

[[Page 10864]]

100% of a Project Coordinator salary plus fringe benefits, the cost of 
designated SBTRC space, other direct costs, and all other general and 
administrative expenses. Selected SBTRC partners will be expected to 
provide in-kind administrative support. Submitted proposals must 
contain an alternative funding source with which the SBTRC will fund 
administrative support costs. Preference will be given to proposals 
containing in-kind contributions for the Project Director, the 
Executive Director, the Project Coordinator, cost of designated SBTRC 
space, other direct costs, and all other general and administrative 
expenses.

1.4 Duration of Agreements

    The cooperative agreement will be awarded for a period of 12 months 
(one year) with options for two (2) additional one year periods. OSDBU 
will notify the SBTRC of our intention to exercise an option year or 
not to exercise an option year 30 days in advance of expiration of the 
current year.

1.5 Authority

    DOT is authorized under 49 U.S.C. Sec.  332(b)(4), (5) & (7) to 
design and carry out programs to assist small disadvantaged businesses 
in getting transportation-related contracts and subcontracts; develop 
support mechanisms, including management and technical services, that 
will enable small disadvantaged businesses to take advantage of those 
business opportunities; and to make arrangements to carry out the above 
purposes.

1.6 Eligibility Requirements

    To be eligible, an organization must be an established, nonprofit, 
community-based organization, transportation-related trade association, 
chamber of commerce, college or university, community college, and any 
other qualifying transportation-related non-profit organization which 
has the documented experience and capacity necessary to successfully 
operate and administer a coordinated delivery system that provides 
access for small businesses to prepare and compete for transportation-
related contracts.
    In addition, to be eligible, the applicant organization must:
    (A) Be an established 501C(3) or 501C(6) tax-exempt organization 
and provide documentation as verification. No application will be 
accepted without proof of tax-exempt status;
    (B) Have at least one year of documented and continuous experience 
prior to the date of application in providing advocacy, outreach, and 
technical assistance to small businesses within the region in which 
proposed services will be provided. Prior performance providing 
services to the transportation community is preferable, but not 
required; and
    (C) Have an office physically located within the proposed city in 
the designated headquarters state in the region for which they are 
submitting the proposal that is readily accessible to the public.

2. Program Requirements

2.1 Recipient Responsibilities

(A) Assessments, Business Analyses
    1. Conduct an assessment of small businesses in the SBTRC region to 
determine their training and technical assistance needs, and use 
information that is available at no cost to structure programs and 
services that will enable small businesses to become better prepared to 
compete for and receive transportation-related contract awards.
    2. Contact other federal, state and local government agencies, such 
as the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA), state and local 
highway agencies, state and local airport authorities, and transit 
authorities to identify relevant and current information that may 
support the assessment of the regional small business transportation 
community needs.
(B) General Management & Technical Training and Assistance
    1. Utilize OSDBU's Intake Form to document each small business 
assisted by the SBTRC and type of service(s) provided. The completed 
form must be transmitted electronically to the SBTRC Program Analyst on 
a quarterly basis, accompanied by a narrative report on the activities 
and performance results for that period. The data gathered must be 
supportive by the narrative and must relate to the numerical data on 
the quarterly reports.
    2. Ensure that an array of information is made available for 
distribution to the small business transportation community that is 
designed to inform and educate the community on DOT/OSDBU services and 
opportunities.
    3. Coordinate efforts with OSDBU's in order to maintain an on-hand 
inventory of DOT/OSDBU informational materials for general 
dissemination and for distribution at transportation-related 
conferences and other events.
(C) Business Counseling
    1. Collaborate with agencies, such as State, Regional, and Local 
Transportation Government Agencies, SBA, U.S. Department of Commerce's 
Minority Business Development Centers (MBDCs), Service Corps of Retired 
Executives (SCORE), Procurement Technical Assistance Centers (PTACs), 
and Small Business Development Centers (SBDCs), to offer a broad range 
of counseling services to transportation-related small business 
enterprises.
    2. Create a technical assistance plan that will provide each 
counseled participant with the knowledge and skills necessary to 
improve the management of their own small business to expand their 
transportation-related contracts and subcontracts portfolio.
    3. Provide a minimum of 20 hours of individual or group counseling 
sessions to small businesses per month.
(D) Planning Committee
    1. Establish a Regional Planning Committee consisting of at least 7 
members that includes representatives from the regional community and 
federal, state, and local agencies. The highway, airport, and transit 
authorities for the SBTRC's headquarters state must have representation 
on the planning committee. This committee shall be established no later 
than 60 days after the execution of the Cooperative agreement between 
the OSDBU and the selected SBRTC.
    2. Provide a forum for the federal, state, and local agencies to 
disseminate information about upcoming procurements.
    3. Hold either monthly or quarterly meetings at a time and place 
agreed upon by SBTRC and planning committee members.
    4. Use the initial session (teleconference call) by the SBTRC 
explain the mission of the committee and identify roles of the staff 
and the members of the group.
    5. Responsibility for the agenda and direction of the Planning 
Committee should be handled by the SBTRC Executive Director or his/her 
designee.
(E) Outreach Services/Conference Participation
    1. Utilize the services of the System for Award Management (SAM) 
and other sources to construct a database of regional small businesses 
that currently or may in the future participate in DOT direct and DOT 
funded transportation related contracts, and make this database 
available to OSDBU, upon request.
    2. Utilize the database of regional transportation-related small 
businesses to match opportunities identified through the planning 
committee forum, FedBiz Opps (a web-based system for posting 
solicitations and other Federal

[[Page 10865]]

procurement-related documents on the Internet), and other sources to 
eligible small businesses and inform the small business community about 
those opportunities.
    3. Develop a ``targeted'' database of firms (100-150) that have the 
capacity and capabilities, and are ready, willing and able to 
participate in DOT contracts and subcontracts immediately. This control 
group will receive ample resources from the SBTRC, i.e., access to 
working capital, bonding assistance, business counseling, management 
assistance and direct referrals to DOT agencies at the state and local 
levels, and to prime contractors as effective subcontractor firms.
    4. Identify regional, state and local conferences where a 
significant number of small businesses, with transportation related 
capabilities, are expected to be in attendance. Maintain and submit a 
list of those events to the SBTRC Program Analyst for review and 
posting on the OSDBU Web site on a monthly basis. Clearly identify the 
events designated for SBTRC participation and include recommendations 
for OSDBU participation.
    5. Conduct outreach and disseminate information to small businesses 
at regional transportation-related conferences, seminars, and 
workshops. In the event that the SBTRC is requested to participate in 
an event, the SBTRC will send DOT materials, the OSDBU banner and other 
information that is deemed necessary for the event.
    6. Submit a conference summary report to OSDBU no later than 5 
business days after participation in the event or conference. The 
conference summary report must summarize activities, contacts, outreach 
results, and recommendations for continued or discontinued 
participation in future similar events sponsored by that organization.
    7. Upon request by OSDBU, coordinate efforts with DOT's grantees 
and recipients at the state and/or local levels to sponsor or cosponsor 
an OSDBU transportation related conference in the region.
    8. Participate in monthly teleconference call with the Regional 
Assistance Division Manager and OSDBU staff.
(F) Short Term Lending Program (STLP)
    1. Work with STLP participating banks and if not available, other 
lending institutions to deliver a minimum of five (5) seminars/
workshops per year on the STLP financial assistance program to the 
transportation-related small business community. The seminar/workshop 
must cover the entire STLP process, from completion of STLP loan 
applications and preparation of the loan package to graduation from the 
STLP.
    2. Provide direct support, technical support, and advocacy services 
to potential STLP applicants to increase the probability of STLP loan 
approval and generate a minimum of seven (7) completed STLP 
applications per year.
(G) Bonding Education Program (BEP)
    Work with OSDBU, bonding industry partners, local small business 
transportation stakeholders, and local bond producers/agents in your 
region to deliver a minimum of 2 complete BEP seminars. The BEP 
consists of the following components; 1) the stakeholder's meeting; 2) 
the educational workshops component; 3) the bond readiness component; 
and 4) follow-on assistance to BEP participants via technical and 
procurement assistance based on the prescriptive plan determined by the 
BEP. For each BEP event, work with the local bond producers/agents in 
your region and the disadvantaged business participants to deliver 
minimum of 10 disadvantaged business participants in the BEP event with 
either access to bonding or an increase in bonding capacity.
    Furnish all labor, facilities and equipment to perform the services 
described in this announcement.
(H) Women and Girls in Transportation Initiative (WITI)
    Pursuant to Executive Order 13506, and 49 U.S.C. Sec.  332(b)(4) & 
(7), the SBTRC shall administer the WITI in their geographical region. 
The SBTRC shall implement the DOT WITI program as defined by the DOT 
WITI Policy. The WITI program is designed to identify, educate, 
attract, retain women and girls from a variety of disciplines in the 
transportation industry. The SBTRC shall also be responsible for 
outreach activities in the implementation of this program and 
advertising the WITI program to all colleges and universities and 
transportation entities in their region. The WITI program shall be 
developed in conjunction with the skill needs of the USDOT, state and 
local transportation agencies and appropriate private sector 
transportation-related participants including, S/WOBs/DBEs, and women 
organizations involved in transportation. Emphasis shall be placed on 
establishing partnerships with transportation-related businesses. The 
SBTRC will be required to host 1 WITI event and attend at least 5 
events where WITI is presented and marketed.

2.2 Office of Small and Disadvantaged Business Utilization (OSDBU) 
Responsibilities

    (A) Provide consultation and technical assistance in planning, 
implementing and evaluating activities under this announcement.
    (B) Provide orientation and training to the applicant organization.
    (C) Monitor SBTRC activities, cooperative agreement compliance, and 
overall SBTRC performance.
    (D) Assist SBTRC to develop or strengthen its relationships with 
federal, state, and local transportation authorities, other technical 
assistance organizations, and DOT grantees.
    (E) Facilitate the exchange and transfer of successful program 
activities and information among all SBTRC regions.
    (F) Provide the SBTRC with DOT/OSDBU materials and other relevant 
transportation related information for dissemination.
    (G) Maintain effective communication with the SBTRC and inform them 
of transportation news and contracting opportunities to share with 
small businesses in their region.
    (H) Provide all required forms to be used by the SBTRC for 
reporting purposes under the program.
    (I) Perform an annual performance evaluation of the SBTRC. 
Satisfactory performance is a condition of continued participation of 
the organization as an SBTRC and execution of all option years.

3. Submission of Proposals

3.1 Format for Proposals

    Each proposal must be submitted to DOT's OSDBU in the format set 
forth in the application form attached as Appendix A to this 
announcement.

3.2 Address; Number of Copies; Deadlines for Submission

    Any eligible organization, as defined in Section 1.6 of this 
announcement, will submit only one proposal per state for consideration 
by OSDBU.
    Applications must be double spaced, and printed in a font size not 
smaller than 12 points. Applications will not exceed 35 single-sided 
pages, not including any requested attachments. All pages should be 
numbered at the top of each page. All documentation, attachments, or 
other information pertinent to the application must be included in a 
single submission. Proposal packages must be submitted electronically 
to OSDBU at SBTRC@dot.gov.
    The applicant is advised to turn on request delivery receipt 
notification for

[[Page 10866]]

email submission. Proposals must be received by DOT/OSDBU no later than 
March 14, 2014 6:00 p.m. Eastern Standard Time (EST).

4. Selection Criteria

4.1 General Criteria

    OSDBU will award the cooperative agreement on a best value basis, 
using the following criteria to rate and rank applications:
    Applications will be evaluated using a point system (maximum number 
of points = 100);
     Approach and strategy (25 points)
     Linkages (25 points)
     Organizational Capability (25 points)
     Staff Capabilities and Experience (15 points)
     Cost Proposal (10 points)
(A) Approach and Strategy (25 Points)
    The applicant must describe their strategy to achieve the overall 
mission of the SBTRC as described in this solicitation and service the 
small business community in their entire geographic regional area. The 
applicant must also describe how the specific activities outlined in 
Section 2.1 will be implemented and executed in the organization's 
regional area. OSDBU will consider the extent to which the proposed 
objectives are specific, measurable, time-specific, and consistent with 
OSDBU goals and the applicant organization's overall mission. OSDBU 
will give priority consideration to applicants that demonstrate 
innovation and creativity in their approach to assist small businesses 
to become successful transportation contractors and increase their 
ability to access DOT contracting opportunities and financial 
assistance programs. Applicants must also submit the estimated direct 
costs, other than labor, to execute their proposed strategy. OSDBU will 
consider the quality of the applicant's plan for conducting program 
activities and the likelihood that the proposed methods will be 
successful in achieving proposed objectives at the proposed cost.
(B) Linkages (25 Points)
    The applicant must describe their established relationships within 
their geographic region and demonstrate their ability to coordinate and 
establish effective networks with DOT grant recipients and local/
regional technical assistance agencies to maximize resources. OSDBU 
will consider innovative aspects of the applicant's approach and 
strategy to build upon their existing relationships and established 
networks with existing resources in their geographical area. The 
applicant should describe their strategy to obtain support and 
collaboration on SBTRC activities from DOT grantees and recipients, 
transportation prime contractors and subcontractors, the SBA, U.S. 
Department of Commerce's Minority Business Development Centers (MBDCs), 
Service Corps of Retired Executives (SCORE), Procurement Technical 
Assistance Centers (PTACs), Small Business Development Centers (SBDCs), 
State DOTs, and State highway supportive services contractors. In 
rating this factor, OSDBU will consider the extent to which the 
applicant demonstrates ability to be multidimensional. The applicant 
must demonstrate that they have the ability to access a broad range of 
supportive services to effectively serve a broad range of 
transportation-related small businesses within their respective 
geographical region. Emphasis will also be placed on the extent to 
which the applicant identifies a clear outreach strategy related to the 
identified needs that can be successfully carried out within the period 
of this agreement and a plan for involving the Planning Committee in 
the execution of that strategy.
(C) Organizational Capability (25 Points)
    The applicant must demonstrate that they have the organizational 
capability to meet the program requirements set forth in Section 2. The 
applicant organization must have sufficient resources and past 
performance experience to successfully provide outreach to the small 
business transportation resources in their geographical area and carry 
out the mission of the SBTRC. In rating this factor, OSDBU will 
consider the extent to which the applicant's organization has recent, 
relevant and successful experience in advocating for and addressing the 
needs of small businesses. Applicants will be given points for 
demonstrated past transportation-related performance. The applicant 
must also describe technical and administrative resources it plans to 
use in achieving proposed objectives. In their description, the 
applicant must describe their facilities, computer and technical 
facilities, ability to tap into volunteer staff time, and a plan for 
sufficient matching alternative financial resources to fund the general 
and administrative costs of the SBTRC. The applicant must also describe 
their administrative and financial management staff. It will be the 
responsibility of the successful candidate to not only provide the 
services outlined herein to small businesses in the transportation 
industry, but to also successfully manage and maintain their internal 
financial, payment, and invoicing process with their financial 
management offices. OSDBU will place an emphasis on capabilities of the 
applicant's financial management staff. Additionally a site visit will 
be required prior to award for those candidates that are being strongly 
considered. A member of the OSDBU team will contact those candidates to 
schedule the site visits prior to the award of the agreement.
(D) Staff Capability and Experience (15 Points)
    The applicant organization must provide a list of proposed 
personnel for the project, with salaries, fringe benefit burden 
factors, educational levels and previous experience clearly delineated. 
The applicant's project team must be well-qualified, knowledgeable, and 
able to effectively serve the diverse and broad range of small 
businesses in their geographical region. The Executive Director and the 
Project Director shall be deemed key personnel. Detailed resumes must 
be submitted for all proposed key personnel and outside consultants and 
subcontractors. Proposed key personnel must have detailed demonstrated 
experience providing services similar in scope and nature to the 
proposed effort. The proposed Project Director will serve as the 
responsible individual for the program. 100% of the Project Director's 
time must be dedicated to the SBTRC. Both the Executive Director and 
the Project Director must be located on-site. In this element, OSDBU 
will consider the extent to which the applicant's proposed Staffing 
Plan; (a) clearly meets the education and experience requirements to 
accomplish the objectives of the cooperative agreement; (b) delineates 
staff responsibilities and accountability for all work required and; 
(c) presents a clear and feasible ability to execute the applicant's 
proposed approach and strategy.
(E) Cost Proposal (10 Points)
    Applicants must submit the total proposed cost of establishing and 
administering the SBTRC in the applicant's geographical region for a 12 
month period, inclusive of costs funded through alternative matching 
resources. The applicant's budget must be adequate to support the 
proposed strategy and costs must be reasonable in relation to project 
objectives. The portion of the submitted budget funded by OSDBU cannot 
exceed the ceiling

[[Page 10867]]

outlined in Section 1.3: Description of Competition of this RFP per 
fiscal year. Applicants are encouraged to provide in-kind costs and 
other innovative cost approaches.

4.2 Scoring of Applications

    A review panel will score each application based upon the 
evaluation criteria listed above. Points will be given for each 
evaluation criteria category, not to exceed the maximum number of 
points allowed for each category. Proposals which are deemed non-
responsive, do not meet the established criteria, or incomplete at the 
time of submission will be disqualified.
    OSDBU will perform a responsibility determination of the 
prospective awardee in the region, which may include a site visit, 
before awarding the cooperative agreement.

4.3 Conflicts of Interest

    Applicants must submit signed statements by key personnel and all 
organization principals indicating that they, or members of their 
immediate families, do not have a personal, business or financial 
interest in any DOT-funded transportation project, nor any 
relationships with local or state transportation agencies that may have 
the appearance of a conflict of interest.

Appendix A

Format for Proposals for the Department of Transportation Office of 
Small and Disadvantaged Business Utilization's Small Business 
Transportation Resource Center (SBTRC) Program

    Submitted proposals for the DOT, Office of Small and 
Disadvantaged Business Utilization's Small Business Transportation 
Resource Center Program must contain the following 12 sections and 
be organized in the following order:

1. TABLE OF CONTENTS

    Identify all parts, sections and attachments of the application.

2. APPLICATION SUMMARY

    Provide a summary overview of the following:
     The applicant's proposed SBTRC region and city and key 
elements of the plan of action/strategy to achieve the SBTRC 
objectives.
     The applicant's relevant organizational experience and 
capabilities.

3. UNDERSTANDING OF THE WORK

    Provide a narrative which contains specific project information 
as follows:
     The applicant will describe its understanding of the 
OSDBU's SBTRC program mission and the role of the applicant's 
proposed SBTRC in advancing the program goals.
     The applicant will describe specific outreach needs of 
transportation-related small businesses in the applicant's region 
and how the SBTRC will address the identified needs.

4. APPROACH AND STRATEGY

     Describe the applicant's plan of action/strategy for 
conducting the program in terms of the tasks to be performed.
     Describe the specific services or activities to be 
performed and how these services/activities will be implemented.
     Describe innovative and creative approaches to assist 
small businesses to become successful transportation contractors and 
increase their ability to access DOT contracting opportunities and 
financial assistance programs.
     Estimated direct costs, other than labor, to execute 
the proposed strategy.

5. LINKAGES

     Describe established relationships within the 
geographic region and demonstrate the ability to coordinate and 
establish effective networks with DOT grant recipients and local/
regional technical assistance agencies.
     Describe the strategy to obtain support and 
collaboration on SBTRC activities from DOT grantees and recipients, 
transportation prime contractors and subcontractors, the SBA, U.S. 
Department of Commerce's Minority Business Development Centers 
(MBDCs), Service Corps of Retired Executives (SCORE), Procurement 
Technical Assistance Centers (PTACs), Small Business Development 
Centers (SBDCs), State DOTs, and State highway supportive services 
contractors.
     Describe the outreach strategy related to the 
identified needs that can be successfully carried out within the 
period of this agreement and a plan for involving the Planning 
Committee in the execution of that strategy.

6. ORGANIZATIONAL CAPABILITY

     Describe recent and relevant past successful 
performance in addressing the needs of small businesses, 
particularly with respect to transportation-related small 
businesses.
     Describe internal technical, financial management, and 
administrative resources.
     Propose a plan for sufficient matching alternative 
financial resources to fund the general and administrative costs of 
the SBTRC.

7. STAFF CAPABILITY AND EXPERIENCE

     List proposed key personnel, their salaries and 
proposed fringe benefit factors.
     Describe the education, qualifications and relevant 
experience of key personnel. Attach detailed resumes.
     Proposed staffing plan. Describe how personnel are to 
be organized for the program and how they will be used to accomplish 
program objectives. Outline staff responsibilities, accountability 
and a schedule for conducting program tasks.

8. COST PROPOSAL

     Outline the total proposed cost of establishing and 
administering the SBTRC in the applicant's geographical region for a 
12 month period, inclusive of costs funded through alternative 
matching resources. Clearly identify the portion of the costs funded 
by OSDBU.
     Provide a brief narrative linking the cost proposal to 
the proposed strategy.

9. PROOF OF TAX EXEMPT STATUS

10. ASSURANCES SIGNATURE FORM

    Complete the attached Standard Form 424B ASSURANCES-NON-
CONSTRUCTION PROGRAMS identified as Attachment 1.

11. CERTIFICATION SIGNATURE FORMS

    Complete form DOTF2307-1 DRUG-FREE WORKPLACE ACT CERTIFICATION 
FOR a GRANTEE OTHER THAN AN INDIVIDUAL identified as attachment 2 
and Form DOTF2308-1 CERTIFICATION REGARDING LOBBYING FOR CONTRACTS, 
GRANTS, LOANS, AND COOPERATIVE AGREEMENTS identified as Attachment 
3.

SIGNED CONFLICT OF INTEREST STATEMENTS

    The statements must say that they, or members of their immediate 
families, do not have a personal, business or financial interest in 
any DOT-funded transportation projects, nor any relationships with 
local or state transportation agencies that may have the appearance 
of a conflict of interest.

12. STANDARD FORM 424

    Complete Standard Form 424 Application for Federal Assistance 
identified as Attachment 4.
    PLEASE BE SURE THAT ALL FORMS HAVE BEEN SIGNED BY AN AUTHORIZED 
OFFICIAL WHO CAN LEGALLY REPRESENT THE ORGANIZATION.

    Issued in Washington, DC, on February 10, 2014
Brandon Neal,
Director, Office of Small and Disadvantaged Business Utilization, 
Office of the Secretary, U.S. Department of Transportation.

[FR Doc. 2014-04155 Filed 2-25-14; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-9X-P
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