Indian Business Incubators Program (IBIP) Grants Under the Native American Business Incubator Act of 2020, 16481-16488 [2022-06077]
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Federal Register / Vol. 87, No. 56 / Wednesday, March 23, 2022 / Notices
v. The opportunity for individuals
and entities to request to be kept
informed of general actions regarding a
specific petitioner.
Authority: The Department publishes
this notice and request for comment in
the exercise of authority delegated by
the Secretary of the Interior to the
Assistant Secretary—Indian Affairs by
209 DM 8.
Bryan Newland,
Assistant Secretary—Indian Affairs.
[FR Doc. 2022–06069 Filed 3–18–22; 11:15 am]
BILLING CODE 4337–15–P
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
Bureau of Indian Affairs
[212A2100DD/AAKC001030/
A0A501010.999900]
Indian Business Incubators Program
(IBIP) Grants Under the Native
American Business Incubator Act of
2020
Office of the Assistant
Secretary, Indian Affairs, Interior.
ACTION: Notice of solicitation for
proposals.
AGENCY:
The Secretary of the Interior
(Secretary), through the Office of Indian
Economic Development (OIED),
Division of Economic Development
(DED), solicits proposals from eligible
applicants (see Section IV. Eligibility for
Funding, of this notice) to receive
competitive grants to establish and
operate business incubators that serve
Tribal reservation communities. These
grants will provide individually tailored
business incubation and other business
services to Native businesses and Native
entrepreneurs to overcome the unique
obstacles they confront and provide
tools necessary to start and grow
businesses that offer products and
services to reservation communities.
DATES: Grant application packages must
be submitted to Grants.gov no later than
5 p.m. Eastern Daylight Time, on
Monday May 23, 2022. OIED will not
consider proposals received after this
time and date.
ADDRESSES: The required method of
submitting proposals is through
Grants.gov. For information on how to
apply for grants in Grants.gov, see the
instructions at https://www.grants.gov/
help/html/help/Applicants/
HowToApplyForGrants.htm. Proposals
must be submitted to Grants.gov by the
deadline established in the DATES
section of this notice.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr.
Dennis Wilson, Grant Management
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SUMMARY:
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Specialist, OIED, telephone: (505) 917–
3235; email: dennis.wilson@bia.gov. If
you have questions regarding the
application process, please contact Ms.
Jo Ann Metcalfe, Grant Officer,
telephone (703) 390–6410; email
jo.metcalfe@bia.gov. Individuals in the
United States who are deaf, deafblind,
hard of hearing, or have a speech
disability may dial 711 (TTY, TDD, or
TeleBraille) to access
telecommunications relay services.
Additional Program information can be
found at https://www.bia.gov/service/
grants/ibip.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
I. General Information
II. Number of Projects Funded
III. Background
IV. Eligibility for Funding
V. Requirements for an IBIP Proposal
VI. Required Non-Federal Contributions
VII. Applicant Procurement Procedures
VIII. Limitations
IX. IBIP Application Guidance
X. Mandatory Components
XI. Incomplete Applications
XII. Review and Selection Process
XIII. Evaluation Criteria
XIV. Transfer of Funds
XV. Reporting Requirements for Award
Recipients
XVI. Conflicts of Interest
XVII. Questions and Requests for OIED
Assistance
XVIII. Paperwork Reduction Act
XVIII. Authority
I. General Information
Award Ceiling: $300,000 annually.
Award Floor: $100,000 annually.
CFDA Number: 15.032.
Cost Sharing or Matching
Requirement: Yes.
Number of Awards: 10 to 15.
Category: Business Incubator
Services.
Length of Project Periods:
Length of Project Period: 36 month
project period with three 12-month
budget periods, with an option for an
additional three 12-month budget
periods.
II. Number of Projects Funded
OIED anticipates award of
approximately 10 to 15 grants under this
announcement ranging in value from
approximately $100,000 annually to
$300,000 annually. IBIP awards will be
for a three-year period of performance.
OIED will use a competitive evaluation
process based on criteria described in
the Review and Selection Process
section (see Section XII. Review and
Selection Process, of this notice).
III. Background
On October 20, 2020, Congress
enacted the Native American Business
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Incubators Program Act, Public Law
116–174, codified at 25 U.S.C. 5801 et
seq. In the Act, Congress established the
Native American Business Incubators
Program and required the Secretary of
the Interior to promulgate regulations to
implement the program. See 25 U.S.C.
5804.
The Office of the Assistant
Secretary—Indian Affairs, through
OIED, is soliciting proposals from
eligible entities (as outlined in section
IV of this notice) for grant funding to
establish Indian Business Incubators
that serve entrepreneurs with start-up
and early-stage businesses who will
provide products or services to Tribal
reservation communities. The Indian
Business Incubator will deliver a range
of business services such as:
Mentorships, networking, technical
assistance, and access to investors.
Further, Indian Business Incubators will
promote collaboration, address
challenges, and provide individually
tailored services to overcome the
obstacles that are unique to each
participating business.
The OIED, previously referred to as
the Office of Indian Energy and
Economic Development (IEED),
administers this grant program through
the DED funded under a non-recurring
appropriation budget. Congress
appropriates funds on a year-to-year
basis. Thus, while IBIP projects may
extend over several years, funding for
successive years beyond the original
period of performance depends on each
fiscal year’s appropriations.
The projects awarded are expected to
be for a project period of 36 months,
with an option of an additional 36
months. The initial grant award will be
for a 12-month budget period. The
award continuation beyond each 12month budget period will be subject to
the availability of funds, satisfactory
progress on the part of each recipient,
and a determination that continued
funding would be in the best interest of
the Federal government. Neither the
Department of the Interior (DOI) nor
Indian Affairs will be held responsible
for proposal or application preparation
costs. Publication of this solicitation
does not obligate DOI or Indian Affairs
to award any specific grant or to obligate
all or any part of available funds.
IV. Eligibility for Funding
The Secretary, through the OIED, will
solicit proposals for an IBIP grant from
eligible entities that are able to provide
the physical workspace, equipment, and
connectivity necessary for Native
businesses and Native entrepreneurs to
collaborate and conduct business on a
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local, regional, national, and
international level:
• The following are eligible entities (2
CFR 1187.3):
Æ An Indian Tribe;
D Federally recognized Tribes listed as
Indian Entities Recognized by and
Eligible to Receive Services from the
United States Bureau of Indian Affairs
at 87 FR 4636 (January 28, 2022) or
Tribal Organizations. Indian Tribes are
referred to using the term ‘‘Tribe’’
throughout this notice. Tribal
Organization is defined by 25 U.S.C.
5304(l). While federally recognized
Tribes or Tribal Organizations may
apply for IBIP grants, grantees may
select or retain for-profit or non-profit
Tribal Organizations to perform a grant’s
scope of work to receive IBIP grants.
Æ Tribal College or University that
will have been operational for not less
than one year before receiving a grant
under the IBIP;
D Qualifies for funding under the
Tribally Controlled Colleges and
Universities Assistance Act of 1978 (25
U.S.C. 1801 et seq.) and implementing
regulations at 25 CFR part 41, or the
Navajo Community College Act (25
U.S.C. 640a note); or
D Is cited in section 532 of the Equity
in Educational Land-Grant Status Act of
1994 (7 U.S.C. 301 note).
Æ An Institution of Higher Education
that will have been operational for not
less than one year before receiving a
grant under the IBIP:
D Admits as regular students only
persons having a certificate of
graduation from a school providing
secondary education, or the recognized
equivalent of such a certificate, or
persons who meet the requirements of
20 U.S.C. 1091(d);
D Is legally authorized within such
State to provide a program of education
beyond secondary education;
D Provides an educational program for
which the institution awards a
bachelor’s degree or provides not less
than a two-year program that is
acceptable for full credit toward such a
degree, or awards a degree that is
acceptable for admission to a graduate
or professional degree program, subject
to review and approval by the Secretary;
D Is a public or other nonprofit
institution; and
D Is accredited by a nationally
recognized accrediting agency or
association, or if not so accredited, is an
institution that has been granted preaccreditation status by such an agency
or association that has been recognized
by the Secretary for the granting of preaccreditation status, and the Secretary
has determined that there is satisfactory
assurance that the institution will meet
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the accreditation standards of such an
agency or association within a
reasonable time.
Æ A Tribe or private nonprofit
organization that provides business and
financial technical assistance and;
D Is a ‘‘Tribal Organization’’ as
defined by 25 U.S.C. 5304(l)
D Will have been operational for not
less than one year before receiving a
grant under the IBIP; and
D Commits to serving one or more
reservation communities.
Æ Two or more eligible entities may
submit a Joint Application, but:
D All joint entities must submit
certifications they are eligible as they
combine resources and expertise at a
physical location dedicated to assisting
Native businesses and Native
entrepreneurs under the IBIP,
demonstrating that together they meet
the requirements of 2 CFR 1187.13; and
D The application must indicate
which eligible entity will be the lead
contact for the purposes of grant
management.
V. Requirements for an IBIP Proposal
Applicants must provide a
certification that they are eligible to
receive an IBIP grant, as well as
designate an executive director or
program manager to manage the
business incubator. Applicants must
submit the necessary documents per
Section X. Mandatory Components, of
this notice.
VI. Required Non-Federal
Contributions
Applicants must include a description
of the non-Federal contributions, in an
amount equal to not less than 25 percent
of the grant amount requested, or submit
a waiver request. OIED may waive the
requirement for the non-Federal
contribution, in whole or in part, for one
or more years of the initial IBIP grant
award if OIED determines that the
waiver is appropriate based on:
• The awardee’s ability to provide
non-Federal contributions;
• The quality of business incubation
services; and
• The likelihood that one or more
reservation communities served by the
awardee will not receive similar
services elsewhere because of the
remoteness or other reasons that inhibit
the provision of business and
entrepreneurial development services.
In a non-competitive renewal, the
Awardee must provide non-Federal
contributions in an amount not less than
33 percent of the total amount of the
grant. Failure to provide the nonFederal contribution will result in
noncompliance and OIED withholding
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of funds, unless OIED waives the
requirement under 25 CFR 1187.43.
Matching and cost-sharing
requirements are discussed in 2 CFR
200.306. The primary recipient is
responsible for the full amount of the
non-Federal match proposed, including
any amount provided by one or more
third parties as listed on the Standard
Form 424, Application for Federal
Assistance. Whereas the full match
contribution does not need to be in
hand as of the date of the application,
the application must provide
commitments for the non-Federal
contribution through the term of the
grant. Applicants may meet the required
non-Federal cost share or match through
in-kind contributions, which must be
necessary and reasonable for
accomplishing the proposed project
objective(s). The applicant must
describe and attribute fair and equitable
market value (2 CFR 200.306) to any inkind match proposed in lieu of cash,
which may include, but is not limited
to:
• Not paid from, or sourced, from
other Federal funds, programs or grants;
• Documented in project records and
not be used as match in another grant;
• An allowable cost under 2 CFR 200
Subpart E—Cost Principles;
• Must occur within the period of
performance of the award;
• Value of services and property
donated as per 2 CFR 200.306, for
instance;
Æ Space as measured by the value of
rent;
Æ Materials and Equipment;
Æ Donated Services and Technical
Assistance;
D Payroll or volunteer services from
personnel working on the incubator
who are not funded by IBIP, which must
be well documented and supported per
methods used for regular personnel
costs;
• Contribution from a third party(ies)
per 2 CFR 200.434. A third party is any
individual or organization other than
the eligible applicant, such as a partner,
that is not receiving grant funds;
• Projected earnings through the term
of the grant;
VII. Applicant Procurement Procedures
The applicant is subject to the
procurement standards in 2 CFR
200.318 through 200.326. In accordance
with 2 CFR 200.318, an applicant must
use its own documented procurement
procedures which reflect Tribal laws
and regulations, provided that the
procurements conform to applicable
Federal law and standards identified in
title 2 of the Code of Federal
Regulations.
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VIII. Limitations
IBIP grant funding must be expended
in accordance with applicable statutory
and regulatory requirements, including
2 CFR part 200. As part of the grant
application review process, OIED may
conduct a review of an applicant’s prior
OIED grant awards(s).
Applicants that are currently under
BIA sanction Level 2 or higher resulting
from non-compliance with the Single
Audit Act are ineligible for a IBIP
award. Applicants at Sanction Level 1
will be considered for funding.
IBIP award funds may be used to
provide physical workspace and
facilities for Native businesses and
Native entrepreneurs participating in
the business incubator. Funds can be
used to establish partnerships with
other institutions and entities to provide
comprehensive business incubation
services to Native businesses and Native
entrepreneurs participating in the
business incubator, as well as for any
other uses typically associated with
business incubators that OIED
determines to be appropriate and
consistent with the purposes of the IBIP.
IBIP awards may not be used for:
• Indirect costs or administrative
costs as defined by the Federal
Acquisition Regulation (FAR);
• Supplemental employment,
including fringe benefits, for current
positions not significantly and directly
involved in the proposed project;
• International travel;
• Outside Fees, Legal or Contract
Negotiation fees, and application fees
associated with permitting that are
outside the scope of the grant award;
• Entertainment costs
Æ For remote training/conferences
locations (where eating establishments
are not within a reasonable distance),
food costs are allowable, but should not
exceed the GSA meals and incidental
costs per attendee for that location, not
to exceed $5,000 for one event, and not
more than twice in a calendar year;
Æ Refreshments for non-remote
training/conference locations are
allowable for $5/attendee/day, not to
exceed $1,000 per event,
Æ All other food costs are disallowed;
Æ However, travel stipends for
training participants are allowed,
including costs for meals which must
follow the GSA Per Diem rates.
• Any other activities not authorized
by the grant award letter.
IX. IBIP Application Guidance
All applications are required to be
submitted in digital form to grants.gov.
For instructions, see https://
www.grants.gov/help/html/help/
Applicants/HowToApplyForGrants.htm.
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X. Mandatory Components
The mandatory components, and
forms identified below, must be
included in each proposal package.
Links to the mandatory forms can be
found under the ‘‘package’’ tab on the
IBIPFY2022 grant opportunity page at
www.grants.gov. Any information in the
possession of the BIA or submitted to
the BIA throughout the process,
including final work product,
constitutes government records and may
be subject to disclosure to third parties
under the Freedom of Information Act
(FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552, and the
Department of the Interior’s FOIA
regulations at 43 CFR part 2, unless a
FOIA exemption or exception
other provisions of law protect the
information. The following are the
names of the required forms:
Cover Page
Application for Federal Assistance (SF–
424) [V3.0]
Cover Letter
Project Abstract Summary [V2.0]
Project Narrative Attachment Form
[V1.2]
Budget Information for NonConstruction Programs (SF–424A)
[V1.0]
Attachments [V1.2]
Key Contacts [V2.0]
Cover Page: A Cover Page must be
included in the application and contain
the following:
• Category of Funding for the IBIP
application.
• Proposal Title.
• Total Amount of funding requested
from the Program, including matching
amounts.
• Full and Proper Name of the
applicant organization.
• Statement confirming the proposed
work will have the potential to reach the
intended goals and objectives.
• Confirm current registration in
SAM, attaching print-out from sam.gov
to the cover page. See instructions and
registration instructions in Appendix.
• Provide current ASAP Recipient ID
with BIA. Allow 3–4 weeks to complete
all steps of enrollment prior to
submission deadline. The organization
must be enrolled in ASAP with BIA,
current enrollment with other federal
agencies is not sufficient. See
instructions and registration
instructions in Appendix.
• Confirmation of other completed
Mandatory Components identified in
this section (SF–424, Project Abstract
Summary, etc).
• Identification if partnerships such
as Tribes, other Tribal Organizations or
Entities. This is partnerships outside of
a Joint Application.
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Application for Federal Assistance
SF–424: Applicants are required to
complete the Application for Federal
Assistance SF–424. Please use a
descriptive file name that includes
Tribal name and project description, for
example IBIPSF424.Tribalname.Project.
The SF–424 form requires the
Congressional District number of the
applicant, which can be found at
https://www.house.gov/reprentatives/
find-your-representative.
Cover Letter: A cover letter not to
exceed one (1) page that summarizes the
interest and intent, complete with
authorized signature(s) of organization
leadership. Tribal Resolutions are not
necessary but will be accepted as
support for the organization.
Project Abstract Summary and Project
Narrative Attachment: The first
paragraph of the Project Abstract
Summary and Project Narrative must
include the title and basic description of
the proposed business incubator
location and services provided. The
Project Narrative must not exceed 50
pages. Supplemental information such
as letters of support, graphs, charts,
maps, photographs and other graphic
and/or other relevant information may
be included in an appendix and not
counted against the 50-page Project
Narrative limit. At a minimum, the
Project Narrative must include:
• A certification that the applicant(s):
Æ Is an eligible applicant; and
Æ Has or will designate an executive
director or program manager to manage
the business incubator;
Æ Agrees to:
D A site evaluation by the Secretary as
part of the final selection process;
D An annual programmatic and
financial examination for the duration
of the grant; and
D To the maximum extent practicable,
to remedy any problems identified
pursuant to the site evaluation and
examination.
• A description of the one or more
reservation communities to be served by
the business incubator;
• A three-year plan that describes:
Æ One-year milestone goals and
objectives that coordinates with the
identified budget periods.
Æ The number of Native businesses
and Native entrepreneurs to be
participating in the business incubator,
with goal setting of anticipated number
of Native businesses starting, and the
anticipated number of Native businesses
to help maintain.
Æ Whether the business incubator
will focus on a particular type of
business or industry.
Æ A detailed breakdown of the
services to be offered to Native
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businesses and Native entrepreneurs
participating in the business incubator;
and
Æ A detailed breakdown of the
services, if any, to be offered to Native
businesses and Native entrepreneurs not
participating in the business incubator.
• Information demonstrating the
effectiveness and experience of the
eligible applicant in:
Æ Conducting financial, management,
and marketing assistance programs
designed to educate or improve the
business skills of current or prospective
businesses;
Æ Working in and providing services
to Native American communities;
Æ Providing assistance to entities
conducting business in reservation
communities;
Æ Providing technical assistance
under Federal business and
entrepreneurial development programs
for which Native businesses and Native
entrepreneurs are eligible; and
Æ Managing finances and staff
effectively.
• A description of the applicant’s
non-Federal contributions, in an amount
equal to not less than 25 percent of the
grant amount requested; and
• A site description of the location at
which the eligible applicant will
provide physical workspace, including a
description of the technologies,
equipment, and other resources that will
be available to Native businesses and
Native entrepreneurs participating in
the business incubator, if the applicant
is in possession of the site, or a written
site proposal containing the information
in 2 CFR 1187.12, if the applicant is not
yet in possession of the site.
• If the applicant is not yet in
possession of the site, the applicant
must submit a written site proposal with
their application that contains:
Æ Sufficient detail for the Secretary to
ensure, in the absence of a site visit or
video submission, that the proposed site
will permit the eligible applicant to
meet the requirements of the IBIP; and
Æ A timeline describing when the
eligible applicant will be:
D In possession of the proposed site;
and
D Operating the business incubator at
the proposed site.
Applicants must provide milestones
and projected outcomes of their
project(s) to demonstrate a successful
outcome of the grant. The proposal
should address grant awardee
requirements:
• Awardee must:
Æ Offer culturally tailored incubation
services to Native businesses and Native
entrepreneurs;
Æ Use a competitive process for
selecting Native businesses and Native
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entrepreneurs to participate in the
business incubator; however, awardees
may still offer technical assistance and
advice to Native businesses and Native
entrepreneurs on a walk-in basis;
Æ Provide physical workspace that
permits Native businesses and Native
entrepreneurs to conduct business and
collaborate with other Native businesses
and Native entrepreneurs;
Æ Provide entrepreneurship and
business skills training and education to
Native businesses and Native
entrepreneurs including:
D Financial education, including
training and counseling in:
• Applying for and securing business
credit and investment capital;
• Preparing and presenting financial
statements; and
• Managing cash flow and other
financial operations of a business;
D Management education, including
training and counseling in planning,
organization, staffing, directing, and
controlling each major activity or
function of a business or startup; and
D Marketing education, including
training and counseling in:
• Identifying and segmenting
domestic and international market
opportunities;
• Preparing and executing marketing
plans;
• Locating contract opportunities;
• Negotiating contracts; and
• Using varying public relations and
advertising techniques.
Æ Provide direct mentorship or
assistance finding mentors in the
industry in which the Native business
or Native entrepreneur operates or
intends to operate; and
Æ Provide access to networks of
potential investors, professionals in the
same or similar fields, and other
business owners with similar
businesses.
• Each awardee must leverage
technology to the maximum extent
practicable to provide Native businesses
and Native entrepreneurs with access to
the connectivity tools needed to
compete and thrive in 21st-century
markets.
Additional items to consider:
• A description of the project
objectives and goals for each of the 3
years;
• Deliverable products that the grant
is expected to generate, including
interim deliverables (such as status
reports and technical data to be
obtained) and final deliverables; and
• Resumes of key consultants and
personnel to be retained, if available,
and the names of subcontractors, if
applicable. This information may be
included as an attachment to the
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application and will not be counted
towards the 50-page limitation.
• Please use a descriptive file name
that includes Tribal name and project
description. For example:
IBIPNarrative.Tribalname.Project.
In addition, unless prohibited by
Tribal procurement procedures, please
include a description of any
consultant(s) and partnership(s) the
applicant wishes to retain, including
their contact information, technical
expertise, training, qualifications, and
suitability. These documents may be
included at the end of the Project
Narrative and will not be counted
toward the 50-page limitation.
Project Narratives are not judged
based on their length. Please do not
submit any unnecessary attachments or
documents beyond what is listed above,
e.g., Tribal history, unrelated photos
and maps.
Budget Information for NonConstruction Programs (SF–424A)
[V1.0], Line Item Budget and Budget
Narrative: All applicants are required to
submit a project budget and budget
justification with their application. The
project budget is for the initial budget
period only (typically the first 12
months of the project) and entered on
the Budget Information Standard Form,
either SF424A or SF–424C. Applicants
are encouraged to review the form
instructions in addition to the guidance
in this section. The budget justification
consists of a budget narrative and a lineitem budget detail for the first budget
period of the proposed project that
includes detailed calculations for
‘‘object class categories’’ identified on
the Budget Information Standard Form
and discuss the necessity,
reasonableness, and allocation of the
proposed cost.
Applicants are required to submit a
budget using the SF–424A form. Please
use a descriptive file name that includes
Tribal name and project description. For
example:
IBIPBudget.Tribalname.Project. When
preparing budget information for the
SF–424, applicants should plan to apply
for funding in the range of $100,000–
$300,000 a year for three years.
The budget must identify the amount
of grant funding requested and a
comprehensive breakdown of all
projected and anticipated expenditures,
including contracted personnel fees,
consulting fees (hourly or fixed), travel
costs, data collection and analysis costs,
computer rentals, report generation,
drafting, advertising costs for a
proposed project and other relevant
project expenses, and their
subcomponents. Budget cost codes and
items must be necessary and reasonable
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as they directly relate to the incubator
project proposal. Justifications must be
provided:
• Administrative Costs associated
with search, review and selection of
external hires, including administrative
support and supervision of liaison(s).
• Salary and Fringe Benefit costs that
will be coordinated with OIED to ensure
salary costs are reasonable and
relatively consistent across the liaison
network nationwide.
• Travel costs should be itemized by
airfare, vehicle rental, lodging, and per
diem, based on the current Federal
government per diem schedule.
• Data collection and analysis costs
should be itemized in sufficient detail
for the OIED review committee to
evaluate the charges.
• Other expenses may include
computer rental, report generation,
drafting, and advertising costs for a
proposed project.
• Match requirements must also be
documented, as outlined per Section VI.
Required Non-Federal Contribution, of
this notice.
Annual Meetings: Applicants are
required to attend annual IBIP meetings.
Some of the meetings may be held in
Washington, DC, and some of the
meetings may be held in a regional
location. For the annual meetings,
grantees should have allocated
sufficient grant funding in their
proposed program budgets to cover
travel, accommodation, and per diem
expenses for two individuals for a 11⁄2
day meeting that will occur once each
year. OIED may specify the individuals
who will attend these meetings (e.g.,
Project Directors, Business Incubator
participants). Additional funds for these
expenses will not be available once
grants are awarded.
Commitment of Non-Federal
Resources Description: Amounts of nonfederal resources that will be used to
support the project as identified in
Block 18 of the SF–424. This line
should be used to indicate required and/
or voluntary committed cost sharing or
matching, if applicable.
For all federal awards: Any shared
costs or matching funds and all
contributions, including cash and thirdparty in-kind contributions, must be
accepted as part of the recipient’s cost
sharing, or matching when such
contributions meet all of the criteria
listed in 2 CFR 200.306.
For awards that require matching or
cost sharing by statute: Recipients will
be held accountable for projected
commitments of non-federal resources
(at or above the statutory requirement)
in their application budgets and budget
justifications by budget period, or by
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project period for fully funded awards.
A recipient’s failure to provide the
statutorily required matching or cost
sharing amount (and any voluntary
committed amount in excess) may result
in the disallowance of federal funds.
Recipients will be required to report
these funds in the Federal Financial
Report.
Justification: If an applicant is relying
on cost share or match from a thirdparty, then a firm commitment of these
resources (letter(s) or other
documentation) is required to be
submitted with the application. Detailed
budget information must be provided
for every funding source identified in
Item 18. ‘‘Estimated Funding ($)’’ on the
SF–424.
Applicants are required to fully
identify and document in their
applications the specific costs or
contributions they propose in order to
meet a matching requirement.
Applicants are also required to provide
documentation in their applications on
the sources of funding or
contribution(s). In-kind contributions
must be accompanied by a justification
of how the stated valuation was
determined. Matching or cost sharing
must be documented by budget period
(or by project period for fully funded
award.
Applications that lack the required
supporting documentation will not be
disqualified from competitive review;
however, it may impact an application’s
scoring under the evaluation criteria.
Key Contacts [V2.0]: Applicants must
include the Key Contacts information
page that includes:
• Lead Applicant contact information
including address, email, desk, and cell
phone number;
• If there is more than one contact,
please provide an additional key
contacts form.
• Please use a descriptive file name
that includes Tribal name and identifies
that it is the critical information page
(CIP). For example:
IBIPCIP.Tribalname.Project.
Attachments [V1.2]: Utilize the
Attachments Form to include a Tribal
Resolution, as applicable, issued in the
fiscal year of the grant application,
authorizing the submission of a FY 2022
IBIP grant application. It must be signed
by authorized Tribal representative(s).
The Tribal resolution must also include
a description of the business plan to be
implemented. The attachments form can
also be used to include any other
attachments related to the proposal.
Special Notes:
• Please make sure that System for
Award Management (SAM) number
used to apply is active, not expired,
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with a current Unique Entity Identifier
(EUI) number on the SF–424;
• Please make sure an active
Automated Standard Application for
Payment (ASAP) number is provided.
Applicants must have an ASAP number
for the Bureau of Indian Affairs to be
eligible;
• Please list the county(ies) where the
project is located and congressional
district number(s) where the project is
located.
XI. Incomplete Applications
Applications submitted without one
or more of the mandatory components
described above will be returned to the
applicant with an explanation. The
applicant will then be allowed to correct
any deficiencies and resubmit the
proposal for consideration on or before
the deadline. This option will not be
available to an applicant once the
deadline has passed.
XII. Review and Selection Process
Upon receiving a IBIP application,
OIED will determine whether the
application is complete and that the
proposed project does not duplicate or
overlap previous or currently funded
Federal or OIED projects. Any proposal
that is received after the date and time
in the DATES section of this notice will
not be reviewed. If an application is not
complete and the submission deadline
has not passed, the applicant will be
notified and given an opportunity to
resubmit its application.
The OIED Review Committee,
comprised of OIED staff, staff from other
Federal agencies, and subject matter
experts, will evaluate the proposals
against the ranking criteria per Section
XIII. Evaluation Criteria, of this notice.
Proposals will be evaluated with a
maximum achievable total of 100
points.
Final award selections will be
approved by the Assistant Secretary—
Indian Affairs and the Associate Deputy
Secretary, U.S. Department of the
Interior. Applicants not selected for
award will be notified in writing.
XIII. Evaluation Criteria
Proposals will be formally evaluated
by an OIED review committee using
criteria listed below. Each criterion
provides a percentage of the total
maximum rating of 100 points. Key
criteria that will be considered in the
review process include:
• The ability of the eligible
Applicant(s) to:
Æ Operate a business incubator that
effectively imparts entrepreneurship
and business skills to Native businesses
and Native entrepreneurs, as
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demonstrated by the experience and
qualifications of the eligible applicant;
Æ Commence providing services
within three months; and
Æ Provide quality incubation services
to a significant number of Native
businesses and Native entrepreneurs or
provide such services at geographically
remote locations where quality business
guidance and counseling is difficult to
obtain;
• The experience of the eligible
applicant in providing services in
Native American communities,
including in the one or more reservation
communities described in the
application;
• The extent to which a grant award
will enable an entity that is already
providing business incubation services
to appreciably enhance those services;
and
• The proposed location of the
business incubator.
Æ OIED will evaluated the location of
the business incubator to:
D Consider the program goal of
achieving broad geographic distribution
of business incubators; and
D Give priority to eligible applicants
that will provide business incubation
services on or near the reservation of the
one or more communities that were
described in the application, except that
OIED may give priority to an eligible
applicant that is not located on or near
the reservation of the one or more
communities that were described in the
application if OIED determines that:
• The location of the business
incubator will not prevent the eligible
applicant from providing quality
business incubation services to Native
businesses and Native entrepreneurs
from the one or more reservation
communities to be served; and
• Documenting that the business
incubator in the identified location will
serve the interests of the one or more
reservation communities to be served.
Æ OIED will conduct the site
evaluation:
• Before awarding a grant to an
eligible applicant, OIED will conduct an
evaluation of the proposed site to verify
that the applicant has (or will have) the
physical workspace, equipment, and
connectivity necessary for Native
businesses and Native entrepreneurs to
collaborate and conduct business on a
local, regional, national, and/or
international level.
• To determine whether the site
meets the requirements of paragraph
above:
Æ If the applicant is in possession of
the proposed site, OIED will conduct an
on-site or virtual visit or review a video
submission before awarding the grant.
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Æ If the applicant is not yet in
possession of the proposed site and has
submitted a written site proposal, OIED
will review the written site proposal
before awarding the grant and will
conduct an on-site or virtual visit or
review a video submission to ensure the
site is consistent with the written site
proposal no later than one year after
awarding the grant. If OIED determines
the site is not consistent with the
written site proposal, OIED will use that
information in determining the ongoing
eligibility of the applicant under
§ 1187.50.
Business Incubator Operation
Description: 25 Points.
Description of Providing Services
Within Three Months: 10 points.
Description of Incubation Services to
Entities and Locations: 25 points.
Description of Reservation
Community(ies) Served: 15 points.
Location of Business Incubator: 10
points.
Budget Justification (Line Item Budget
and Budget Narrative): 15 points.
Business Incubator Operation
Description: 25 Points.
Points will be awarded based on the
applicant’s description of how they will
operate a business incubator that will
effectively impart entrepreneurship and
business skills to Native businesses and
Native entrepreneurs, as demonstrated
by the experience and qualifications of
the eligible applicant. Milestone goals
and objectives and outcomes of the
project proposal should outline the
success parameters and deliverables of
the incubator through the term of the
grant, see Section X. Mandatory
Components, of this notice.
number of Native businesses help
maintaining.
The Applicant will have broad
discretion in determining what structure
their competitive process will be in
selecting participants into their
incubator program. They will also
determine appropriate curriculum,
training and program completion
requirements that determine participant
‘‘graduation.’’
Description of Providing Services Within
Three Months: 10 Points
The Applicant proposal must
demonstrate the ability for the incubator
to begin providing services within three
months from the date of award.
Budget Justification (Line Item Budget
and Budget Narrative): 15 Points
Points will be awarded based on the
reasonableness of the proposed IBIP
project in view of the types and range
of activities to be conducted and the
expected outcomes and benefits. The
application includes a strong plan for
oversight of federally awarded funds
and activities. In particular, the
application describes the rules and
procedures in place to ensure the
prudent use, proper disbursement, and
accurate accounting of funds. The
budget includes expenses for travel and
accommodation costs for two IBIP
representatives to attend the 11⁄2 day
IBIP annual meeting in Washington, DC,
or another regional location. For the
purpose of estimating travel expenses,
the program can use the Washington,
DC, area as the location for the regional
location. If a virtual IBIP annual meeting
is convened, grantees can reallocate
their travel funds back to their budget.
Description of Incubation Services to
Entities and Locations: 25 Points
Points will be awarded based on the
Applicant’s ability to provide quality
incubation services to a significant
number of Native businesses and Native
entrepreneurs or provide such services
at geographically remote locations
where quality business guidance and
counseling are difficult to obtain.
‘‘Significant’’ will be considered the
relative quality incubation services
provided to the number of Native
businesses and Native entrepreneurs in
the proposal to the overall amount of
funding requested. Identified goal(s) of
the anticipated number of Native
businesses starting, and the anticipated
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Description of Reservation
Community(ies) Served: 15 Points
The Applicant’s proposal must
demonstrate experience in providing
services in Native American
communities. Applicants have
flexibility in who they identify to serve,
which must identify one or more
reservation communities, regardless if
the communities are near their own
Tribe’s homelands. Applicant must
demonstrate they are serving a diverse
population and include justifications
around socioeconomic factors and
considerations related to size and
location, often to geographically remote
locations where quality business
guidance and counseling is difficult to
obtain. Applicants may see Regional
and diverse market representation
across Indian Country.
Location of Business Incubator: 10
Points
Applicant must have a location
secured that provides physical space to
its participating businesses. Whereas the
applicant does not have to be in
possession of the proposed site at the
time of application, it must be secured
as soon as services are provided.
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XIV. Transfer of Funds
OIED’s obligation under this
solicitation is contingent on receipt of
congressionally appropriated funds. No
liability on the part of the U.S.
Government for any payment may arise
until funds are made available to the
awarding officer for this grant and until
the recipient receives notice of such
availability, to be confirmed in writing
by the grant officer.
All payments under this agreement
will be made by electronic funds
transfer through the ASAP system. All
award recipients are required to have a
current and accurate UEI number to
receive funds. All payments will be
deposited to the banking information
designated by the Bureau of Indian
Affairs in the SAM.
OIED will disburse grant funds
awarded to eligible applicants in annual
installments except that, OIED may
make disbursements more frequently,
on request by the applicant, as long as
disbursements are not made more
frequently than quarterly. IBIP grant
awards may not be duplicative of
existing Federal funding from another
source that overlaps funding for the
same activities described in the
Applicant’s proposal.
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XV. Reporting Requirements for Award
Recipients
The applicant must deliver all
products and data required by the
signed Grant Agreement for the
proposed IBIP grant to OIED within 30
days of the end of each reporting period
and 120 days after completion of the
project. The reporting periods will be
established in the terms and conditions
of the final award. IBIP will require
yearly cumulative financial reporting
per a SF–425. IBIP will require annual
Performance reporting, which will be
used to conduct annual grantee
evaluations towards renewal
determinations, as well as final reports
due at the end of the 3-year term.
The Performance Report will include:
• Not later than one year after the
date OIED awards the grant, and then
annually for the duration of the grant,
the awardee must submit to OIED a
report describing the services the
awardee provided under the IBIP during
the preceding year, including:
Æ A detailed breakdown of the Native
businesses and Native entrepreneurs
receiving services from the business
incubator, including, for the year
covered by the report:
D The number of Native businesses
and Native entrepreneurs participating
in or receiving services from the
business incubator and the types of
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services provided to those Native
businesses and Native entrepreneurs;
D The number of Native businesses
and Native entrepreneurs established
and jobs created or maintained; and
D The number of Native businesses
and Native entrepreneurs maintained;
and
D The performance of Native
businesses and Native entrepreneurs
while participating in the business
incubator and after graduation or
departure from the business incubator;
and
Æ Any other information the
Secretary may require to evaluate the
performance of a business incubator to
ensure appropriate implementation of
the IBIP.
• To the maximum extent practicable,
OIED will not require an awardee to
report the information listed above that
the awardee provides to OIED under
another program.
• OIED will coordinate with the
heads of other Federal agencies to
ensure that, to the maximum extent
practicable, the report content and form
above are consistent with other
reporting requirements for Federal
programs that provide business and
entrepreneurial assistance.
Annual Evaluations will measure
successful outcomes of the grant based
on the identified milestones and
outcomes from the incubator project
application, as well as identified
deliverables. OIED will measure
performance of an awardee’s business
incubator as it compares to the
performance of other business
incubators receiving grants under IBIP.
The reporting function will not require
detailed capital investments and
revenue growth information, instead it
will focus on the total number of Native
businesses and entrepreneurs the
incubator assists and their performance
while participating and after graduation
or departure from the incubator.
OIED oversight reporting is tracking
grant funding only, not incubator
activities. Proper justification and use of
grant funds in the application and
through the term of the grant are
required. Release of business and
entrepreneur financial disclosures, that
may deter participation in the program,
will not be required. Equity created
from the program should be reinvested
back into the program by mentoring and
sharing best practices with other
businesses.
OIED requires that deliverable
products be provided in digital format
and submitted in the GrantSolutions
system. Reports can be provided in
either Microsoft Word or Adobe Acrobat
PDF format. Spreadsheet data can be
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provided in Microsoft Excel, Microsoft
Access, or Adobe PDF formats. All
vector figures should be converted to
PDF format. Raster images can be
provided in PDF, JPEG, TIFF, or any of
the Windows metafile formats. The
contract between the grantee and the
consultant conducting the IBIP grant
must include deliverable products and
require that the products be prepared in
the format described above.
The contract should include budget
amounts for all printed and digital
copies to be delivered in accordance
with the grant agreement. In addition,
the contract must specify that all
products generated by a consultant
belong to the grantee and cannot be
released to the public without the
grantee’s written approval. Products
include, but are not limited to, all
reports and technical data obtained,
maps, status reports, and the final
report.
In addition, this funding opportunity
and financial assistance award must
adhere to the following provisions in
Section XVI Conflicts of Interest through
Section XIX Authority.
XVI. Conflicts of Interest
Applicability
• This section intends to ensure that
non-Federal entities and their
employees take appropriate steps to
avoid conflicts of interest in their
responsibilities under or with respect to
Federal financial assistance agreements.
• In the procurement of supplies,
equipment, construction, and services
by recipients and by sub-recipients, the
conflict of interest provisions in 2 CFR
200.318 apply.
Requirements
• Non-Federal entities must avoid
prohibited conflicts of interest,
including any significant financial
interests that could cause a reasonable
person to question the recipient’s ability
to provide impartial, technically sound,
and objective performance under or
with respect to a Federal financial
assistance agreement.
• In addition to any other
prohibitions that may apply with
respect to conflicts of interest, no key
official of an actual or proposed
recipient or sub-recipient, who is
substantially involved in the proposal or
project, may have been a former Federal
employee who, within the last one (1)
year, participated personally and
substantially in the evaluation, award,
or administration of an award with
respect to that recipient or sub-recipient
or in development of the requirement
leading to the funding announcement.
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• No actual or prospective recipient
or sub-recipient may solicit, obtain, or
use non-public information regarding
the evaluation, award, administration of
an award to that recipient or subrecipient or the development of a
Federal financial assistance opportunity
that may be of competitive interest to
that recipient or sub-recipient.
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Notification
• Non-Federal entities, including
applicants for financial assistance
awards, must disclose in writing any
conflict of interest to the DOI awarding
agency or pass-through entity in
accordance with 2 CFR 200.112,
Conflicts of Interest.
• Recipients must establish internal
controls that include, at a minimum,
procedures to identify, disclose, and
mitigate or eliminate identified conflicts
of interest. The recipient is responsible
for notifying the Financial Assistance
Officer in writing of any conflicts of
interest that may arise during the life of
the award, including those that have
been reported by sub-recipients.
• Restrictions on Lobbying. NonFederal entities are strictly prohibited
from using funds under this grant or
cooperative agreement for lobbying
activities and must provide the required
certifications and disclosures pursuant
to 43 CFR part 18 and 31 U.S.C. 1352.
• Review Procedures. The Financial
Assistance Officer will examine each
conflict of interest disclosure on the
basis of its particular facts and the
nature of the proposed grant or
cooperative agreement, and will
determine whether a significant
potential conflict exists and, if it does,
develop an appropriate means for
resolving it.
• Enforcement. Failure to resolve
conflicts of interest in a manner that
satisfies the Government may be cause
for termination of the award. Failure to
make the required disclosures may
result in any of the remedies described
in 2 CFR 200.338, Remedies for
Noncompliance, including suspension
or debarment (see also 2 CFR part 180).
Data Availability
• Applicability. The Department of
the Interior is committed to basing its
decisions on the best available science
and providing the American people
with enough information to thoughtfully
and substantively evaluate the data,
methodology, and analysis used by the
Department to inform its decisions.
• Use of Data. The regulations at 2
CFR 200.315 apply to data produced
under a Federal award, including the
provision that the Federal Government
has the right to obtain, reproduce,
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publish, or otherwise use the data
produced under a Federal award as well
as authorize others to receive,
reproduce, publish, or otherwise use
such data for Federal purposes.
• Availability of Data. The recipient
shall make the data produced under this
award and any subaward(s) available to
the Government for public release,
consistent with applicable law, to allow
meaningful third-party evaluation and
reproduction of the following:
Æ The scientific data relied upon;
Æ The analysis relied upon; and
Æ The methodology, including
models, used to gather and analyze data.
XVII. Questions and Requests for OIED
Assistance
OIED staff may provide technical
consultation, upon written request by an
applicant. The request must clearly
identify the type of assistance sought.
Technical consultation does not include
funding to prepare a grant proposal,
grant writing assistance, or predeterminations as to the likelihood that
a proposal will be awarded. The
applicant is solely responsible for
preparing its grant proposal. Technical
consultation may include clarifying
application requirements, confirming
whether an applicant previously
submitted the same or similar proposal,
and registration information for SAM or
ASAP.
XVIII. Paperwork Reduction Act
The information collection
requirements contained in this notice
have been reviewed and approved by
the Office of Management and Budget
(OMB) under the Paperwork Reduction
Act, 44 U.S.C. 3504(h). The OMB
control number is 4040–0004. The
authorization expires on December 31,
2022. An agency may not conduct or
sponsor, and Applicant is not required
to respond to, any information
collection that does not display a
currently valid OMB Control Number.
XIX. Authority
This is a discretionary grant program
authorized under the Native American
Business Incubators Program Act, Public
Law 116–174, codified at 25 U.S.C.
5801. The IBIP, also known as the
Native American Business Incubator’s
Program, is a program in which OIED
provides competitive grants to eligible
applicants to establish and operate
business incubators that serve Tribal
reservation communities. Congress
enacted the Native American Business
Incubators Program and required the
Secretary to promulgate regulations to
implement the program, see 25 U.S.C.
5804. The regulations are codified at 25
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CFR part 1187 and provide the
framework for operation of the grant
program so that there is certainty as to
who is eligible for a grant, how eligible
applicants can apply for a grant, how
OED will evaluate, award and
administer the grants, and what terms
and conditions will apply to the grants.
The Final Rule enabled OED to provide
grants that will stimulate economic
development in reservation
communities.
Bryan Newland,
Assistant Secretary—Indian Affairs.
[FR Doc. 2022–06077 Filed 3–22–22; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4337–15–P
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
National Park Service
[NPS–WASO–NAGPRA–NPS0033623;
PPWOCRADN0–PCU00RP14.R50000]
Notice of Inventory Completion:
Florence Indian Mound Museum,
Florence, AL
National Park Service, Interior.
Notice.
AGENCY:
ACTION:
The Florence Indian Mound
Museum has completed an inventory of
human remains in consultation with the
appropriate Indian Tribes or Native
Hawaiian organizations, and has
determined that there is no cultural
affiliation between the human remains
and any present-day Indian Tribes or
Native Hawaiian organizations.
Representatives of any Indian Tribe or
Native Hawaiian organization not
identified in this notice that wish to
request transfer of control of these
human remains should submit a written
request to the Florence Indian Mound
Museum. If no additional requestors
come forward, transfer of control of the
human remains to the Indian Tribes or
Native Hawaiian organizations stated in
this notice may proceed.
DATES: Representatives of any Indian
Tribe or Native Hawaiian organization
not identified in this notice that wish to
request transfer of control of these
human remains should submit a written
request with information in support of
the request to the Florence Indian
Mound Museum at the address in this
notice by April 22, 2022.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Brian Murphy, Florence Arts and
Museums, 217 E Tuscaloosa Street,
Florence, AL 35630, telephone (716)
570–5613, email bmurphy@
florenceal.org.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Notice is
here given in accordance with the
SUMMARY:
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Agencies
[Federal Register Volume 87, Number 56 (Wednesday, March 23, 2022)]
[Notices]
[Pages 16481-16488]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2022-06077]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
Bureau of Indian Affairs
[212A2100DD/AAKC001030/A0A501010.999900]
Indian Business Incubators Program (IBIP) Grants Under the Native
American Business Incubator Act of 2020
AGENCY: Office of the Assistant Secretary, Indian Affairs, Interior.
ACTION: Notice of solicitation for proposals.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: The Secretary of the Interior (Secretary), through the Office
of Indian Economic Development (OIED), Division of Economic Development
(DED), solicits proposals from eligible applicants (see Section IV.
Eligibility for Funding, of this notice) to receive competitive grants
to establish and operate business incubators that serve Tribal
reservation communities. These grants will provide individually
tailored business incubation and other business services to Native
businesses and Native entrepreneurs to overcome the unique obstacles
they confront and provide tools necessary to start and grow businesses
that offer products and services to reservation communities.
DATES: Grant application packages must be submitted to Grants.gov no
later than 5 p.m. Eastern Daylight Time, on Monday May 23, 2022. OIED
will not consider proposals received after this time and date.
ADDRESSES: The required method of submitting proposals is through
Grants.gov. For information on how to apply for grants in Grants.gov,
see the instructions at https://www.grants.gov/help/html/help/Applicants/HowToApplyForGrants.htm. Proposals must be submitted to
Grants.gov by the deadline established in the DATES section of this
notice.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. Dennis Wilson, Grant Management
Specialist, OIED, telephone: (505) 917-3235; email:
[email protected]. If you have questions regarding the application
process, please contact Ms. Jo Ann Metcalfe, Grant Officer, telephone
(703) 390-6410; email [email protected]. Individuals in the United
States who are deaf, deafblind, hard of hearing, or have a speech
disability may dial 711 (TTY, TDD, or TeleBraille) to access
telecommunications relay services. Additional Program information can
be found at https://www.bia.gov/service/grants/ibip.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
I. General Information
II. Number of Projects Funded
III. Background
IV. Eligibility for Funding
V. Requirements for an IBIP Proposal
VI. Required Non-Federal Contributions
VII. Applicant Procurement Procedures
VIII. Limitations
IX. IBIP Application Guidance
X. Mandatory Components
XI. Incomplete Applications
XII. Review and Selection Process
XIII. Evaluation Criteria
XIV. Transfer of Funds
XV. Reporting Requirements for Award Recipients
XVI. Conflicts of Interest
XVII. Questions and Requests for OIED Assistance
XVIII. Paperwork Reduction Act
XVIII. Authority
I. General Information
Award Ceiling: $300,000 annually.
Award Floor: $100,000 annually.
CFDA Number: 15.032.
Cost Sharing or Matching Requirement: Yes.
Number of Awards: 10 to 15.
Category: Business Incubator Services.
Length of Project Periods:
Length of Project Period: 36 month project period with three 12-
month budget periods, with an option for an additional three 12-month
budget periods.
II. Number of Projects Funded
OIED anticipates award of approximately 10 to 15 grants under this
announcement ranging in value from approximately $100,000 annually to
$300,000 annually. IBIP awards will be for a three-year period of
performance. OIED will use a competitive evaluation process based on
criteria described in the Review and Selection Process section (see
Section XII. Review and Selection Process, of this notice).
III. Background
On October 20, 2020, Congress enacted the Native American Business
Incubators Program Act, Public Law 116-174, codified at 25 U.S.C. 5801
et seq. In the Act, Congress established the Native American Business
Incubators Program and required the Secretary of the Interior to
promulgate regulations to implement the program. See 25 U.S.C. 5804.
The Office of the Assistant Secretary--Indian Affairs, through
OIED, is soliciting proposals from eligible entities (as outlined in
section IV of this notice) for grant funding to establish Indian
Business Incubators that serve entrepreneurs with start-up and early-
stage businesses who will provide products or services to Tribal
reservation communities. The Indian Business Incubator will deliver a
range of business services such as: Mentorships, networking, technical
assistance, and access to investors. Further, Indian Business
Incubators will promote collaboration, address challenges, and provide
individually tailored services to overcome the obstacles that are
unique to each participating business.
The OIED, previously referred to as the Office of Indian Energy and
Economic Development (IEED), administers this grant program through the
DED funded under a non-recurring appropriation budget. Congress
appropriates funds on a year-to-year basis. Thus, while IBIP projects
may extend over several years, funding for successive years beyond the
original period of performance depends on each fiscal year's
appropriations.
The projects awarded are expected to be for a project period of 36
months, with an option of an additional 36 months. The initial grant
award will be for a 12-month budget period. The award continuation
beyond each 12-month budget period will be subject to the availability
of funds, satisfactory progress on the part of each recipient, and a
determination that continued funding would be in the best interest of
the Federal government. Neither the Department of the Interior (DOI)
nor Indian Affairs will be held responsible for proposal or application
preparation costs. Publication of this solicitation does not obligate
DOI or Indian Affairs to award any specific grant or to obligate all or
any part of available funds.
IV. Eligibility for Funding
The Secretary, through the OIED, will solicit proposals for an IBIP
grant from eligible entities that are able to provide the physical
workspace, equipment, and connectivity necessary for Native businesses
and Native entrepreneurs to collaborate and conduct business on a
[[Page 16482]]
local, regional, national, and international level:
The following are eligible entities (2 CFR 1187.3):
[cir] An Indian Tribe;
[ssquf] Federally recognized Tribes listed as Indian Entities
Recognized by and Eligible to Receive Services from the United States
Bureau of Indian Affairs at 87 FR 4636 (January 28, 2022) or Tribal
Organizations. Indian Tribes are referred to using the term ``Tribe''
throughout this notice. Tribal Organization is defined by 25 U.S.C.
5304(l). While federally recognized Tribes or Tribal Organizations may
apply for IBIP grants, grantees may select or retain for-profit or non-
profit Tribal Organizations to perform a grant's scope of work to
receive IBIP grants.
[cir] Tribal College or University that will have been operational
for not less than one year before receiving a grant under the IBIP;
[ssquf] Qualifies for funding under the Tribally Controlled
Colleges and Universities Assistance Act of 1978 (25 U.S.C. 1801 et
seq.) and implementing regulations at 25 CFR part 41, or the Navajo
Community College Act (25 U.S.C. 640a note); or
[ssquf] Is cited in section 532 of the Equity in Educational Land-
Grant Status Act of 1994 (7 U.S.C. 301 note).
[cir] An Institution of Higher Education that will have been
operational for not less than one year before receiving a grant under
the IBIP:
[ssquf] Admits as regular students only persons having a
certificate of graduation from a school providing secondary education,
or the recognized equivalent of such a certificate, or persons who meet
the requirements of 20 U.S.C. 1091(d);
[ssquf] Is legally authorized within such State to provide a
program of education beyond secondary education;
[ssquf] Provides an educational program for which the institution
awards a bachelor's degree or provides not less than a two-year program
that is acceptable for full credit toward such a degree, or awards a
degree that is acceptable for admission to a graduate or professional
degree program, subject to review and approval by the Secretary;
[ssquf] Is a public or other nonprofit institution; and
[ssquf] Is accredited by a nationally recognized accrediting agency
or association, or if not so accredited, is an institution that has
been granted pre-accreditation status by such an agency or association
that has been recognized by the Secretary for the granting of pre-
accreditation status, and the Secretary has determined that there is
satisfactory assurance that the institution will meet the accreditation
standards of such an agency or association within a reasonable time.
[cir] A Tribe or private nonprofit organization that provides
business and financial technical assistance and;
[ssquf] Is a ``Tribal Organization'' as defined by 25 U.S.C.
5304(l)
[ssquf] Will have been operational for not less than one year
before receiving a grant under the IBIP; and
[ssquf] Commits to serving one or more reservation communities.
[cir] Two or more eligible entities may submit a Joint Application,
but:
[ssquf] All joint entities must submit certifications they are
eligible as they combine resources and expertise at a physical location
dedicated to assisting Native businesses and Native entrepreneurs under
the IBIP, demonstrating that together they meet the requirements of 2
CFR 1187.13; and
[ssquf] The application must indicate which eligible entity will be
the lead contact for the purposes of grant management.
V. Requirements for an IBIP Proposal
Applicants must provide a certification that they are eligible to
receive an IBIP grant, as well as designate an executive director or
program manager to manage the business incubator. Applicants must
submit the necessary documents per Section X. Mandatory Components, of
this notice.
VI. Required Non-Federal Contributions
Applicants must include a description of the non-Federal
contributions, in an amount equal to not less than 25 percent of the
grant amount requested, or submit a waiver request. OIED may waive the
requirement for the non-Federal contribution, in whole or in part, for
one or more years of the initial IBIP grant award if OIED determines
that the waiver is appropriate based on:
The awardee's ability to provide non-Federal
contributions;
The quality of business incubation services; and
The likelihood that one or more reservation communities
served by the awardee will not receive similar services elsewhere
because of the remoteness or other reasons that inhibit the provision
of business and entrepreneurial development services.
In a non-competitive renewal, the Awardee must provide non-Federal
contributions in an amount not less than 33 percent of the total amount
of the grant. Failure to provide the non-Federal contribution will
result in noncompliance and OIED withholding of funds, unless OIED
waives the requirement under 25 CFR 1187.43.
Matching and cost-sharing requirements are discussed in 2 CFR
200.306. The primary recipient is responsible for the full amount of
the non-Federal match proposed, including any amount provided by one or
more third parties as listed on the Standard Form 424, Application for
Federal Assistance. Whereas the full match contribution does not need
to be in hand as of the date of the application, the application must
provide commitments for the non-Federal contribution through the term
of the grant. Applicants may meet the required non-Federal cost share
or match through in-kind contributions, which must be necessary and
reasonable for accomplishing the proposed project objective(s). The
applicant must describe and attribute fair and equitable market value
(2 CFR 200.306) to any in-kind match proposed in lieu of cash, which
may include, but is not limited to:
Not paid from, or sourced, from other Federal funds,
programs or grants;
Documented in project records and not be used as match in
another grant;
An allowable cost under 2 CFR 200 Subpart E--Cost
Principles;
Must occur within the period of performance of the award;
Value of services and property donated as per 2 CFR
200.306, for instance;
[cir] Space as measured by the value of rent;
[cir] Materials and Equipment;
[cir] Donated Services and Technical Assistance;
[ssquf] Payroll or volunteer services from personnel working on the
incubator who are not funded by IBIP, which must be well documented and
supported per methods used for regular personnel costs;
Contribution from a third party(ies) per 2 CFR 200.434. A
third party is any individual or organization other than the eligible
applicant, such as a partner, that is not receiving grant funds;
Projected earnings through the term of the grant;
VII. Applicant Procurement Procedures
The applicant is subject to the procurement standards in 2 CFR
200.318 through 200.326. In accordance with 2 CFR 200.318, an applicant
must use its own documented procurement procedures which reflect Tribal
laws and regulations, provided that the procurements conform to
applicable Federal law and standards identified in title 2 of the Code
of Federal Regulations.
[[Page 16483]]
VIII. Limitations
IBIP grant funding must be expended in accordance with applicable
statutory and regulatory requirements, including 2 CFR part 200. As
part of the grant application review process, OIED may conduct a review
of an applicant's prior OIED grant awards(s).
Applicants that are currently under BIA sanction Level 2 or higher
resulting from non-compliance with the Single Audit Act are ineligible
for a IBIP award. Applicants at Sanction Level 1 will be considered for
funding.
IBIP award funds may be used to provide physical workspace and
facilities for Native businesses and Native entrepreneurs participating
in the business incubator. Funds can be used to establish partnerships
with other institutions and entities to provide comprehensive business
incubation services to Native businesses and Native entrepreneurs
participating in the business incubator, as well as for any other uses
typically associated with business incubators that OIED determines to
be appropriate and consistent with the purposes of the IBIP.
IBIP awards may not be used for:
Indirect costs or administrative costs as defined by the
Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR);
Supplemental employment, including fringe benefits, for
current positions not significantly and directly involved in the
proposed project;
International travel;
Outside Fees, Legal or Contract Negotiation fees, and
application fees associated with permitting that are outside the scope
of the grant award;
Entertainment costs
[cir] For remote training/conferences locations (where eating
establishments are not within a reasonable distance), food costs are
allowable, but should not exceed the GSA meals and incidental costs per
attendee for that location, not to exceed $5,000 for one event, and not
more than twice in a calendar year;
[cir] Refreshments for non-remote training/conference locations are
allowable for $5/attendee/day, not to exceed $1,000 per event,
[cir] All other food costs are disallowed;
[cir] However, travel stipends for training participants are
allowed, including costs for meals which must follow the GSA Per Diem
rates.
Any other activities not authorized by the grant award
letter.
IX. IBIP Application Guidance
All applications are required to be submitted in digital form to
grants.gov. For instructions, see https://www.grants.gov/help/html/help/Applicants/HowToApplyForGrants.htm.
X. Mandatory Components
The mandatory components, and forms identified below, must be
included in each proposal package. Links to the mandatory forms can be
found under the ``package'' tab on the IBIPFY2022 grant opportunity
page at www.grants.gov. Any information in the possession of the BIA or
submitted to the BIA throughout the process, including final work
product, constitutes government records and may be subject to
disclosure to third parties under the Freedom of Information Act
(FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552, and the Department of the Interior's FOIA
regulations at 43 CFR part 2, unless a FOIA exemption or exception
applies, or other provisions of law protect the information. The
following are the names of the required forms:Cover Page
Application for Federal Assistance (SF-424) [V3.0]
Cover Letter
Project Abstract Summary [V2.0]
Project Narrative Attachment Form [V1.2]
Budget Information for Non-Construction Programs (SF-424A) [V1.0]
Attachments [V1.2]
Key Contacts [V2.0]
Cover Page: A Cover Page must be included in the application and
contain the following:
Category of Funding for the IBIP application.
Proposal Title.
Total Amount of funding requested from the Program,
including matching amounts.
Full and Proper Name of the applicant organization.
Statement confirming the proposed work will have the
potential to reach the intended goals and objectives.
Confirm current registration in SAM, attaching print-out
from sam.gov to the cover page. See instructions and registration
instructions in Appendix.
Provide current ASAP Recipient ID with BIA. Allow 3-4
weeks to complete all steps of enrollment prior to submission deadline.
The organization must be enrolled in ASAP with BIA, current enrollment
with other federal agencies is not sufficient. See instructions and
registration instructions in Appendix.
Confirmation of other completed Mandatory Components
identified in this section (SF-424, Project Abstract Summary, etc).
Identification if partnerships such as Tribes, other
Tribal Organizations or Entities. This is partnerships outside of a
Joint Application.
Application for Federal Assistance SF-424: Applicants are required
to complete the Application for Federal Assistance SF-424. Please use a
descriptive file name that includes Tribal name and project
description, for example IBIPSF424.Tribalname.Project. The SF-424 form
requires the Congressional District number of the applicant, which can
be found at https://www.house.gov/reprentatives/find-your-representative.
Cover Letter: A cover letter not to exceed one (1) page that
summarizes the interest and intent, complete with authorized
signature(s) of organization leadership. Tribal Resolutions are not
necessary but will be accepted as support for the organization.
Project Abstract Summary and Project Narrative Attachment: The
first paragraph of the Project Abstract Summary and Project Narrative
must include the title and basic description of the proposed business
incubator location and services provided. The Project Narrative must
not exceed 50 pages. Supplemental information such as letters of
support, graphs, charts, maps, photographs and other graphic and/or
other relevant information may be included in an appendix and not
counted against the 50-page Project Narrative limit. At a minimum, the
Project Narrative must include:
A certification that the applicant(s):
[cir] Is an eligible applicant; and
[cir] Has or will designate an executive director or program
manager to manage the business incubator;
[cir] Agrees to:
[ssquf] A site evaluation by the Secretary as part of the final
selection process;
[ssquf] An annual programmatic and financial examination for the
duration of the grant; and
[ssquf] To the maximum extent practicable, to remedy any problems
identified pursuant to the site evaluation and examination.
A description of the one or more reservation communities
to be served by the business incubator;
A three-year plan that describes:
[cir] One-year milestone goals and objectives that coordinates with
the identified budget periods.
[cir] The number of Native businesses and Native entrepreneurs to
be participating in the business incubator, with goal setting of
anticipated number of Native businesses starting, and the anticipated
number of Native businesses to help maintain.
[cir] Whether the business incubator will focus on a particular
type of business or industry.
[cir] A detailed breakdown of the services to be offered to Native
[[Page 16484]]
businesses and Native entrepreneurs participating in the business
incubator; and
[cir] A detailed breakdown of the services, if any, to be offered
to Native businesses and Native entrepreneurs not participating in the
business incubator.
Information demonstrating the effectiveness and experience
of the eligible applicant in:
[cir] Conducting financial, management, and marketing assistance
programs designed to educate or improve the business skills of current
or prospective businesses;
[cir] Working in and providing services to Native American
communities;
[cir] Providing assistance to entities conducting business in
reservation communities;
[cir] Providing technical assistance under Federal business and
entrepreneurial development programs for which Native businesses and
Native entrepreneurs are eligible; and
[cir] Managing finances and staff effectively.
A description of the applicant's non-Federal
contributions, in an amount equal to not less than 25 percent of the
grant amount requested; and
A site description of the location at which the eligible
applicant will provide physical workspace, including a description of
the technologies, equipment, and other resources that will be available
to Native businesses and Native entrepreneurs participating in the
business incubator, if the applicant is in possession of the site, or a
written site proposal containing the information in 2 CFR 1187.12, if
the applicant is not yet in possession of the site.
If the applicant is not yet in possession of the site, the
applicant must submit a written site proposal with their application
that contains:
[cir] Sufficient detail for the Secretary to ensure, in the absence
of a site visit or video submission, that the proposed site will permit
the eligible applicant to meet the requirements of the IBIP; and
[cir] A timeline describing when the eligible applicant will be:
[ssquf] In possession of the proposed site; and
[ssquf] Operating the business incubator at the proposed site.
Applicants must provide milestones and projected outcomes of their
project(s) to demonstrate a successful outcome of the grant. The
proposal should address grant awardee requirements:
Awardee must:
[cir] Offer culturally tailored incubation services to Native
businesses and Native entrepreneurs;
[cir] Use a competitive process for selecting Native businesses and
Native entrepreneurs to participate in the business incubator; however,
awardees may still offer technical assistance and advice to Native
businesses and Native entrepreneurs on a walk-in basis;
[cir] Provide physical workspace that permits Native businesses and
Native entrepreneurs to conduct business and collaborate with other
Native businesses and Native entrepreneurs;
[cir] Provide entrepreneurship and business skills training and
education to Native businesses and Native entrepreneurs including:
[ssquf] Financial education, including training and counseling in:
Applying for and securing business credit and investment
capital;
Preparing and presenting financial statements; and
Managing cash flow and other financial operations of a
business;
[ssquf] Management education, including training and counseling in
planning, organization, staffing, directing, and controlling each major
activity or function of a business or startup; and
[ssquf] Marketing education, including training and counseling in:
Identifying and segmenting domestic and international
market opportunities;
Preparing and executing marketing plans;
Locating contract opportunities;
Negotiating contracts; and
Using varying public relations and advertising techniques.
[cir] Provide direct mentorship or assistance finding mentors in
the industry in which the Native business or Native entrepreneur
operates or intends to operate; and
[cir] Provide access to networks of potential investors,
professionals in the same or similar fields, and other business owners
with similar businesses.
Each awardee must leverage technology to the maximum
extent practicable to provide Native businesses and Native
entrepreneurs with access to the connectivity tools needed to compete
and thrive in 21st-century markets.
Additional items to consider:
A description of the project objectives and goals for each
of the 3 years;
Deliverable products that the grant is expected to
generate, including interim deliverables (such as status reports and
technical data to be obtained) and final deliverables; and
Resumes of key consultants and personnel to be retained,
if available, and the names of subcontractors, if applicable. This
information may be included as an attachment to the application and
will not be counted towards the 50-page limitation.
Please use a descriptive file name that includes Tribal
name and project description. For example:
IBIPNarrative.Tribalname.Project.
In addition, unless prohibited by Tribal procurement procedures,
please include a description of any consultant(s) and partnership(s)
the applicant wishes to retain, including their contact information,
technical expertise, training, qualifications, and suitability. These
documents may be included at the end of the Project Narrative and will
not be counted toward the 50-page limitation.
Project Narratives are not judged based on their length. Please do
not submit any unnecessary attachments or documents beyond what is
listed above, e.g., Tribal history, unrelated photos and maps.
Budget Information for Non-Construction Programs (SF-424A) [V1.0],
Line Item Budget and Budget Narrative: All applicants are required to
submit a project budget and budget justification with their
application. The project budget is for the initial budget period only
(typically the first 12 months of the project) and entered on the
Budget Information Standard Form, either SF424A or SF-424C. Applicants
are encouraged to review the form instructions in addition to the
guidance in this section. The budget justification consists of a budget
narrative and a line-item budget detail for the first budget period of
the proposed project that includes detailed calculations for ``object
class categories'' identified on the Budget Information Standard Form
and discuss the necessity, reasonableness, and allocation of the
proposed cost.
Applicants are required to submit a budget using the SF-424A form.
Please use a descriptive file name that includes Tribal name and
project description. For example: IBIPBudget.Tribalname.Project. When
preparing budget information for the SF-424, applicants should plan to
apply for funding in the range of $100,000-$300,000 a year for three
years.
The budget must identify the amount of grant funding requested and
a comprehensive breakdown of all projected and anticipated
expenditures, including contracted personnel fees, consulting fees
(hourly or fixed), travel costs, data collection and analysis costs,
computer rentals, report generation, drafting, advertising costs for a
proposed project and other relevant project expenses, and their
subcomponents. Budget cost codes and items must be necessary and
reasonable
[[Page 16485]]
as they directly relate to the incubator project proposal.
Justifications must be provided:
Administrative Costs associated with search, review and
selection of external hires, including administrative support and
supervision of liaison(s).
Salary and Fringe Benefit costs that will be coordinated
with OIED to ensure salary costs are reasonable and relatively
consistent across the liaison network nationwide.
Travel costs should be itemized by airfare, vehicle
rental, lodging, and per diem, based on the current Federal government
per diem schedule.
Data collection and analysis costs should be itemized in
sufficient detail for the OIED review committee to evaluate the
charges.
Other expenses may include computer rental, report
generation, drafting, and advertising costs for a proposed project.
Match requirements must also be documented, as outlined
per Section VI. Required Non-Federal Contribution, of this notice.
Annual Meetings: Applicants are required to attend annual IBIP
meetings. Some of the meetings may be held in Washington, DC, and some
of the meetings may be held in a regional location. For the annual
meetings, grantees should have allocated sufficient grant funding in
their proposed program budgets to cover travel, accommodation, and per
diem expenses for two individuals for a 1\1/2\ day meeting that will
occur once each year. OIED may specify the individuals who will attend
these meetings (e.g., Project Directors, Business Incubator
participants). Additional funds for these expenses will not be
available once grants are awarded.
Commitment of Non-Federal Resources Description: Amounts of non-
federal resources that will be used to support the project as
identified in Block 18 of the SF-424. This line should be used to
indicate required and/or voluntary committed cost sharing or matching,
if applicable.
For all federal awards: Any shared costs or matching funds and all
contributions, including cash and third-party in-kind contributions,
must be accepted as part of the recipient's cost sharing, or matching
when such contributions meet all of the criteria listed in 2 CFR
200.306.
For awards that require matching or cost sharing by statute:
Recipients will be held accountable for projected commitments of non-
federal resources (at or above the statutory requirement) in their
application budgets and budget justifications by budget period, or by
project period for fully funded awards. A recipient's failure to
provide the statutorily required matching or cost sharing amount (and
any voluntary committed amount in excess) may result in the
disallowance of federal funds. Recipients will be required to report
these funds in the Federal Financial Report.
Justification: If an applicant is relying on cost share or match
from a third-party, then a firm commitment of these resources
(letter(s) or other documentation) is required to be submitted with the
application. Detailed budget information must be provided for every
funding source identified in Item 18. ``Estimated Funding ($)'' on the
SF-424.
Applicants are required to fully identify and document in their
applications the specific costs or contributions they propose in order
to meet a matching requirement. Applicants are also required to provide
documentation in their applications on the sources of funding or
contribution(s). In-kind contributions must be accompanied by a
justification of how the stated valuation was determined. Matching or
cost sharing must be documented by budget period (or by project period
for fully funded award.
Applications that lack the required supporting documentation will
not be disqualified from competitive review; however, it may impact an
application's scoring under the evaluation criteria.
Key Contacts [V2.0]: Applicants must include the Key Contacts
information page that includes:
Lead Applicant contact information including address,
email, desk, and cell phone number;
If there is more than one contact, please provide an
additional key contacts form.
Please use a descriptive file name that includes Tribal
name and identifies that it is the critical information page (CIP). For
example: IBIPCIP.Tribalname.Project.
Attachments [V1.2]: Utilize the Attachments Form to include a
Tribal Resolution, as applicable, issued in the fiscal year of the
grant application, authorizing the submission of a FY 2022 IBIP grant
application. It must be signed by authorized Tribal representative(s).
The Tribal resolution must also include a description of the business
plan to be implemented. The attachments form can also be used to
include any other attachments related to the proposal.
Special Notes:
Please make sure that System for Award Management (SAM)
number used to apply is active, not expired, with a current Unique
Entity Identifier (EUI) number on the SF-424;
Please make sure an active Automated Standard Application
for Payment (ASAP) number is provided. Applicants must have an ASAP
number for the Bureau of Indian Affairs to be eligible;
Please list the county(ies) where the project is located
and congressional district number(s) where the project is located.
XI. Incomplete Applications
Applications submitted without one or more of the mandatory
components described above will be returned to the applicant with an
explanation. The applicant will then be allowed to correct any
deficiencies and resubmit the proposal for consideration on or before
the deadline. This option will not be available to an applicant once
the deadline has passed.
XII. Review and Selection Process
Upon receiving a IBIP application, OIED will determine whether the
application is complete and that the proposed project does not
duplicate or overlap previous or currently funded Federal or OIED
projects. Any proposal that is received after the date and time in the
DATES section of this notice will not be reviewed. If an application is
not complete and the submission deadline has not passed, the applicant
will be notified and given an opportunity to resubmit its application.
The OIED Review Committee, comprised of OIED staff, staff from
other Federal agencies, and subject matter experts, will evaluate the
proposals against the ranking criteria per Section XIII. Evaluation
Criteria, of this notice. Proposals will be evaluated with a maximum
achievable total of 100 points.
Final award selections will be approved by the Assistant
Secretary--Indian Affairs and the Associate Deputy Secretary, U.S.
Department of the Interior. Applicants not selected for award will be
notified in writing.
XIII. Evaluation Criteria
Proposals will be formally evaluated by an OIED review committee
using criteria listed below. Each criterion provides a percentage of
the total maximum rating of 100 points. Key criteria that will be
considered in the review process include:
The ability of the eligible Applicant(s) to:
[cir] Operate a business incubator that effectively imparts
entrepreneurship and business skills to Native businesses and Native
entrepreneurs, as
[[Page 16486]]
demonstrated by the experience and qualifications of the eligible
applicant;
[cir] Commence providing services within three months; and
[cir] Provide quality incubation services to a significant number
of Native businesses and Native entrepreneurs or provide such services
at geographically remote locations where quality business guidance and
counseling is difficult to obtain;
The experience of the eligible applicant in providing
services in Native American communities, including in the one or more
reservation communities described in the application;
The extent to which a grant award will enable an entity
that is already providing business incubation services to appreciably
enhance those services; and
The proposed location of the business incubator.
[cir] OIED will evaluated the location of the business incubator
to:
[ssquf] Consider the program goal of achieving broad geographic
distribution of business incubators; and
[ssquf] Give priority to eligible applicants that will provide
business incubation services on or near the reservation of the one or
more communities that were described in the application, except that
OIED may give priority to an eligible applicant that is not located on
or near the reservation of the one or more communities that were
described in the application if OIED determines that:
The location of the business incubator will not prevent
the eligible applicant from providing quality business incubation
services to Native businesses and Native entrepreneurs from the one or
more reservation communities to be served; and
Documenting that the business incubator in the identified
location will serve the interests of the one or more reservation
communities to be served.
[cir] OIED will conduct the site evaluation:
Before awarding a grant to an eligible applicant, OIED
will conduct an evaluation of the proposed site to verify that the
applicant has (or will have) the physical workspace, equipment, and
connectivity necessary for Native businesses and Native entrepreneurs
to collaborate and conduct business on a local, regional, national,
and/or international level.
To determine whether the site meets the requirements of
paragraph above:
[cir] If the applicant is in possession of the proposed site, OIED
will conduct an on-site or virtual visit or review a video submission
before awarding the grant.
[cir] If the applicant is not yet in possession of the proposed
site and has submitted a written site proposal, OIED will review the
written site proposal before awarding the grant and will conduct an on-
site or virtual visit or review a video submission to ensure the site
is consistent with the written site proposal no later than one year
after awarding the grant. If OIED determines the site is not consistent
with the written site proposal, OIED will use that information in
determining the ongoing eligibility of the applicant under Sec.
1187.50.
Business Incubator Operation Description: 25 Points.
Description of Providing Services Within Three Months: 10 points.
Description of Incubation Services to Entities and Locations: 25
points.
Description of Reservation Community(ies) Served: 15 points.
Location of Business Incubator: 10 points.
Budget Justification (Line Item Budget and Budget Narrative): 15
points.
Business Incubator Operation Description: 25 Points.
Points will be awarded based on the applicant's description of how
they will operate a business incubator that will effectively impart
entrepreneurship and business skills to Native businesses and Native
entrepreneurs, as demonstrated by the experience and qualifications of
the eligible applicant. Milestone goals and objectives and outcomes of
the project proposal should outline the success parameters and
deliverables of the incubator through the term of the grant, see
Section X. Mandatory Components, of this notice.
Description of Providing Services Within Three Months: 10 Points
The Applicant proposal must demonstrate the ability for the
incubator to begin providing services within three months from the date
of award.
Description of Incubation Services to Entities and Locations: 25 Points
Points will be awarded based on the Applicant's ability to provide
quality incubation services to a significant number of Native
businesses and Native entrepreneurs or provide such services at
geographically remote locations where quality business guidance and
counseling are difficult to obtain. ``Significant'' will be considered
the relative quality incubation services provided to the number of
Native businesses and Native entrepreneurs in the proposal to the
overall amount of funding requested. Identified goal(s) of the
anticipated number of Native businesses starting, and the anticipated
number of Native businesses help maintaining.
The Applicant will have broad discretion in determining what
structure their competitive process will be in selecting participants
into their incubator program. They will also determine appropriate
curriculum, training and program completion requirements that determine
participant ``graduation.''
Description of Reservation Community(ies) Served: 15 Points
The Applicant's proposal must demonstrate experience in providing
services in Native American communities. Applicants have flexibility in
who they identify to serve, which must identify one or more reservation
communities, regardless if the communities are near their own Tribe's
homelands. Applicant must demonstrate they are serving a diverse
population and include justifications around socioeconomic factors and
considerations related to size and location, often to geographically
remote locations where quality business guidance and counseling is
difficult to obtain. Applicants may see Regional and diverse market
representation across Indian Country.
Location of Business Incubator: 10 Points
Applicant must have a location secured that provides physical space
to its participating businesses. Whereas the applicant does not have to
be in possession of the proposed site at the time of application, it
must be secured as soon as services are provided.
Budget Justification (Line Item Budget and Budget Narrative): 15 Points
Points will be awarded based on the reasonableness of the proposed
IBIP project in view of the types and range of activities to be
conducted and the expected outcomes and benefits. The application
includes a strong plan for oversight of federally awarded funds and
activities. In particular, the application describes the rules and
procedures in place to ensure the prudent use, proper disbursement, and
accurate accounting of funds. The budget includes expenses for travel
and accommodation costs for two IBIP representatives to attend the 1\1/
2\ day IBIP annual meeting in Washington, DC, or another regional
location. For the purpose of estimating travel expenses, the program
can use the Washington, DC, area as the location for the regional
location. If a virtual IBIP annual meeting is convened, grantees can
reallocate their travel funds back to their budget.
[[Page 16487]]
XIV. Transfer of Funds
OIED's obligation under this solicitation is contingent on receipt
of congressionally appropriated funds. No liability on the part of the
U.S. Government for any payment may arise until funds are made
available to the awarding officer for this grant and until the
recipient receives notice of such availability, to be confirmed in
writing by the grant officer.
All payments under this agreement will be made by electronic funds
transfer through the ASAP system. All award recipients are required to
have a current and accurate UEI number to receive funds. All payments
will be deposited to the banking information designated by the Bureau
of Indian Affairs in the SAM.
OIED will disburse grant funds awarded to eligible applicants in
annual installments except that, OIED may make disbursements more
frequently, on request by the applicant, as long as disbursements are
not made more frequently than quarterly. IBIP grant awards may not be
duplicative of existing Federal funding from another source that
overlaps funding for the same activities described in the Applicant's
proposal.
XV. Reporting Requirements for Award Recipients
The applicant must deliver all products and data required by the
signed Grant Agreement for the proposed IBIP grant to OIED within 30
days of the end of each reporting period and 120 days after completion
of the project. The reporting periods will be established in the terms
and conditions of the final award. IBIP will require yearly cumulative
financial reporting per a SF-425. IBIP will require annual Performance
reporting, which will be used to conduct annual grantee evaluations
towards renewal determinations, as well as final reports due at the end
of the 3-year term.
The Performance Report will include:
Not later than one year after the date OIED awards the
grant, and then annually for the duration of the grant, the awardee
must submit to OIED a report describing the services the awardee
provided under the IBIP during the preceding year, including:
[cir] A detailed breakdown of the Native businesses and Native
entrepreneurs receiving services from the business incubator,
including, for the year covered by the report:
[ssquf] The number of Native businesses and Native entrepreneurs
participating in or receiving services from the business incubator and
the types of services provided to those Native businesses and Native
entrepreneurs;
[ssquf] The number of Native businesses and Native entrepreneurs
established and jobs created or maintained; and
[ssquf] The number of Native businesses and Native entrepreneurs
maintained; and
[ssquf] The performance of Native businesses and Native
entrepreneurs while participating in the business incubator and after
graduation or departure from the business incubator; and
[cir] Any other information the Secretary may require to evaluate
the performance of a business incubator to ensure appropriate
implementation of the IBIP.
To the maximum extent practicable, OIED will not require
an awardee to report the information listed above that the awardee
provides to OIED under another program.
OIED will coordinate with the heads of other Federal
agencies to ensure that, to the maximum extent practicable, the report
content and form above are consistent with other reporting requirements
for Federal programs that provide business and entrepreneurial
assistance.
Annual Evaluations will measure successful outcomes of the grant
based on the identified milestones and outcomes from the incubator
project application, as well as identified deliverables. OIED will
measure performance of an awardee's business incubator as it compares
to the performance of other business incubators receiving grants under
IBIP. The reporting function will not require detailed capital
investments and revenue growth information, instead it will focus on
the total number of Native businesses and entrepreneurs the incubator
assists and their performance while participating and after graduation
or departure from the incubator.
OIED oversight reporting is tracking grant funding only, not
incubator activities. Proper justification and use of grant funds in
the application and through the term of the grant are required. Release
of business and entrepreneur financial disclosures, that may deter
participation in the program, will not be required. Equity created from
the program should be reinvested back into the program by mentoring and
sharing best practices with other businesses.
OIED requires that deliverable products be provided in digital
format and submitted in the GrantSolutions system. Reports can be
provided in either Microsoft Word or Adobe Acrobat PDF format.
Spreadsheet data can be provided in Microsoft Excel, Microsoft Access,
or Adobe PDF formats. All vector figures should be converted to PDF
format. Raster images can be provided in PDF, JPEG, TIFF, or any of the
Windows metafile formats. The contract between the grantee and the
consultant conducting the IBIP grant must include deliverable products
and require that the products be prepared in the format described
above.
The contract should include budget amounts for all printed and
digital copies to be delivered in accordance with the grant agreement.
In addition, the contract must specify that all products generated by a
consultant belong to the grantee and cannot be released to the public
without the grantee's written approval. Products include, but are not
limited to, all reports and technical data obtained, maps, status
reports, and the final report.
In addition, this funding opportunity and financial assistance
award must adhere to the following provisions in Section XVI Conflicts
of Interest through Section XIX Authority.
XVI. Conflicts of Interest
Applicability
This section intends to ensure that non-Federal entities
and their employees take appropriate steps to avoid conflicts of
interest in their responsibilities under or with respect to Federal
financial assistance agreements.
In the procurement of supplies, equipment, construction,
and services by recipients and by sub-recipients, the conflict of
interest provisions in 2 CFR 200.318 apply.
Requirements
Non-Federal entities must avoid prohibited conflicts of
interest, including any significant financial interests that could
cause a reasonable person to question the recipient's ability to
provide impartial, technically sound, and objective performance under
or with respect to a Federal financial assistance agreement.
In addition to any other prohibitions that may apply with
respect to conflicts of interest, no key official of an actual or
proposed recipient or sub-recipient, who is substantially involved in
the proposal or project, may have been a former Federal employee who,
within the last one (1) year, participated personally and substantially
in the evaluation, award, or administration of an award with respect to
that recipient or sub-recipient or in development of the requirement
leading to the funding announcement.
[[Page 16488]]
No actual or prospective recipient or sub-recipient may
solicit, obtain, or use non-public information regarding the
evaluation, award, administration of an award to that recipient or sub-
recipient or the development of a Federal financial assistance
opportunity that may be of competitive interest to that recipient or
sub-recipient.
Notification
Non-Federal entities, including applicants for financial
assistance awards, must disclose in writing any conflict of interest to
the DOI awarding agency or pass-through entity in accordance with 2 CFR
200.112, Conflicts of Interest.
Recipients must establish internal controls that include,
at a minimum, procedures to identify, disclose, and mitigate or
eliminate identified conflicts of interest. The recipient is
responsible for notifying the Financial Assistance Officer in writing
of any conflicts of interest that may arise during the life of the
award, including those that have been reported by sub-recipients.
Restrictions on Lobbying. Non-Federal entities are
strictly prohibited from using funds under this grant or cooperative
agreement for lobbying activities and must provide the required
certifications and disclosures pursuant to 43 CFR part 18 and 31 U.S.C.
1352.
Review Procedures. The Financial Assistance Officer will
examine each conflict of interest disclosure on the basis of its
particular facts and the nature of the proposed grant or cooperative
agreement, and will determine whether a significant potential conflict
exists and, if it does, develop an appropriate means for resolving it.
Enforcement. Failure to resolve conflicts of interest in a
manner that satisfies the Government may be cause for termination of
the award. Failure to make the required disclosures may result in any
of the remedies described in 2 CFR 200.338, Remedies for Noncompliance,
including suspension or debarment (see also 2 CFR part 180).
Data Availability
Applicability. The Department of the Interior is committed
to basing its decisions on the best available science and providing the
American people with enough information to thoughtfully and
substantively evaluate the data, methodology, and analysis used by the
Department to inform its decisions.
Use of Data. The regulations at 2 CFR 200.315 apply to
data produced under a Federal award, including the provision that the
Federal Government has the right to obtain, reproduce, publish, or
otherwise use the data produced under a Federal award as well as
authorize others to receive, reproduce, publish, or otherwise use such
data for Federal purposes.
Availability of Data. The recipient shall make the data
produced under this award and any subaward(s) available to the
Government for public release, consistent with applicable law, to allow
meaningful third-party evaluation and reproduction of the following:
[cir] The scientific data relied upon;
[cir] The analysis relied upon; and
[cir] The methodology, including models, used to gather and analyze
data.
XVII. Questions and Requests for OIED Assistance
OIED staff may provide technical consultation, upon written request
by an applicant. The request must clearly identify the type of
assistance sought. Technical consultation does not include funding to
prepare a grant proposal, grant writing assistance, or pre-
determinations as to the likelihood that a proposal will be awarded.
The applicant is solely responsible for preparing its grant proposal.
Technical consultation may include clarifying application requirements,
confirming whether an applicant previously submitted the same or
similar proposal, and registration information for SAM or ASAP.
XVIII. Paperwork Reduction Act
The information collection requirements contained in this notice
have been reviewed and approved by the Office of Management and Budget
(OMB) under the Paperwork Reduction Act, 44 U.S.C. 3504(h). The OMB
control number is 4040-0004. The authorization expires on December 31,
2022. An agency may not conduct or sponsor, and Applicant is not
required to respond to, any information collection that does not
display a currently valid OMB Control Number.
XIX. Authority
This is a discretionary grant program authorized under the Native
American Business Incubators Program Act, Public Law 116-174, codified
at 25 U.S.C. 5801. The IBIP, also known as the Native American Business
Incubator's Program, is a program in which OIED provides competitive
grants to eligible applicants to establish and operate business
incubators that serve Tribal reservation communities. Congress enacted
the Native American Business Incubators Program and required the
Secretary to promulgate regulations to implement the program, see 25
U.S.C. 5804. The regulations are codified at 25 CFR part 1187 and
provide the framework for operation of the grant program so that there
is certainty as to who is eligible for a grant, how eligible applicants
can apply for a grant, how OED will evaluate, award and administer the
grants, and what terms and conditions will apply to the grants. The
Final Rule enabled OED to provide grants that will stimulate economic
development in reservation communities.
Bryan Newland,
Assistant Secretary--Indian Affairs.
[FR Doc. 2022-06077 Filed 3-22-22; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4337-15-P