77718 Federal Register / Vol. 69, No. 248 / Tuesday, December 28, 2004 / Notices 

4. Look beyond the immediate 

economic horizon, anticipate economic 

changes, and diversify the local and 

regional economy. An investment will 

be part of an overarching, long term 

comprehensive economic development 

strategy that enhances a region’s success 

in achieving a rising standard of living 

by supporting existing industry clusters, 

developing emerging new clusters, or 

attracting new regional economic 

drivers. 

5. Demonstrate a high degree of 

commitment by exhibiting:

• High levels of local government or 

non-profit matching funds and private 

sector leverage. 

• Clear and unified leadership and 

support by local elected officials. 

• Strong cooperation between the 

business sector, relevant regional 

partners and local, State and Federal 

governments. 

Selection Factors: The Assistant 

Secretary of Commerce for Economic 

Development is the Selecting Official, 

and will in the normal course accept the 

ranking of the proposals recommended 

by the review panel. However, the 

Assistant Secretary may not make any 

selection, or he may substitute one of 

the lower rated proposals, if he 

determines that it better meets the 

overall objectives of PWEDA, as 

amended. 

The Department of Commerce PreAward Notification Requirements for 

Grants and Cooperative Agreements 

The Department of Commerce PreAward Notification Requirements for 

Grants and Cooperative Agreements 

contained in the Federal Register notice 

of October 1, 2001 (66 FR 49917), as 

amended by the Federal Register notice 

published on October 30, 2002 (67 FR 

66109), are applicable to this 

solicitation. 

Paperwork Reduction Act 

This document contains collection-ofinformation requirements subject to the 

Paperwork Reduction Act (PRA). The 

use of Form ED–900A has been 

approved by OMB under the control 

number 0610–0094. Notwithstanding 

any other provision of law, no person is 

required to respond to, nor shall any 

person be subject to a penalty for failure 

to comply with, a collection of 

information subject to the requirements 

of the PRA unless that collection of 

information displays a currently valid 

OMB control number. 

Executive Order 12866

This notice has been determined to be 

not significant for purposes of Executive 

Order 12866. 

Executive Order 13132 (Federalism) 

It has been determined that this notice 

does not contain policies with 

federalism implications as that term is 

defined in Executive Order 13132. 

Administrative Procedure Act/

Regulatory Flexibility Act 

Prior notice and an opportunity for 

public comments are not required by the 

Administrative Procedure Act or any 

other law for rules concerning grants, 

benefits and contracts (5 U.S.C. 

553(a)(2)). Because notice and 

opportunity for comment are not 

required pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 553 or any 

other law, the analytical requirements of 

the Regulatory Flexibility Act (5 u.S.C. 

601 et seq.) are inapplicable. Therefore, 

a regulatory flexibility analysis has not 

been prepared.

Dated: December 21, 2004. 

David A. Sampson, 

Assistant Secretary for Economic 

Development.

[FR Doc. 04–28376 Filed 12–27–04; 8:45 am] 

BILLING CODE 3510–24–M

DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

Economic Development Administration 

[991215339–4346–14] 

Solicitation of Proposals for the 

University Center (UC) Program

AGENCY: Economic Development 

Administration (EDA) Department of 

Commerce (DOC).

ACTION: Notice and request for 

proposals. 

SUMMARY: EDA is soliciting proposals 

for FY 2005 University Center funding 

in the areas served by its Philadelphia 

and Chicago regional offices. EDA’s 

mission is to lead the federal economic 

development agenda by promoting 

innovation and competitiveness, 

preparing American regions for growth 

and success in the worldwide economy. 

Institutions of higher education have 

many assets, such as faculty, staff, 

libraries, laboratories, and computer 

systems, which can help to address 

local economic problems and 

opportunities. With funding from EDA, 

institutions of higher education 

establish and operate University 

Centers, which provide technical 

assistance to public and private sector 

organizations with the goal of enhancing 

local economic development. EDA has 

traditionally renewed an award to a 

University Center on an annual basis as 

long as it maintained a satisfactory level 

of performance and Congress 

appropriated funds for the program. In 

FY 2004, EDA began a phased 

implementation of a three-year 

competitive grant cycle for all of its 

University Center projects, beginning 

with those in the Austin and Denver 

regional offices. With the competition 

announced in this notice for University 

Center projects in the areas served by 

EDA’s Philadelphia and Chicago 

regional offices, EDA is continuing to 

phase in competition for University 

Center funding.

DATES: Proposals must be received by 

the appropriate EDA regional office by 

April 22, 2005, at 4 p.m. (EDT).

ADDRESSES: From proponents in 

Connecticut, Delaware, District of 

Columbia, Maine, Maryland, 

Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New 

Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Puerto 

Rico, Rhode Island, Vermont, Virginia, 

Virgin Islands, and West Virginia: 

Economic Development Administration, 

Philadelphia Regional Office, Curtis 

Center, 601 Walnut Street, Suite 140 

South, Philadelphia, PA 19106. 

From proponents in Illinois, Indiana, 

Michigan, Minnesota, Ohio, and 

Wisconsin: Economic Development 

Administration, Chicago Regional 

Office, 111 North Canal Street, Suite 

844, Chicago, IL 60606. 

For a copy of the FFO announcement 

for this request for proposals, please see 

the Web site below listed under 

‘‘Electronic Access.’’

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For 

additional information or for a paper 

copy of the FFO announcement, contact 

the appropriate EDA regional office 

listed above. EDA’s Web site, http://

222.eda.gov contains additional 

information on EDA and its program.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

Electronic Access: EDA is not 

currently able to accept electronic 

submission of proposal packages. 

However, the full funding opportunity 

announcement for the FY 2005 

Economic Development Assistance 

Programs competition is available 

through Grants.gov at http://

www.grants.gov. Additional information 

is available through EDA’s Web site, 

http://www.eda.gov.

Funding Availability: Funding 

appropriated under Public Law 108–447 

is available for technical assistance 

programs authorized by the Public 

Works and Economic Development Act 

of 1965, as amended (Public Law 89–

136, 42 U.S.C. 3121, et seq.), and as 

further amended by Public Law 105–393 

and 108–373, and for trade adjustment 

assistance authorized under title II, 

chapters 3 and 5 of the Trade Act of 

1974, as amended (19 U.S.C. 2341–2355; 

Federal Register / Vol. 69, No. 248 / Tuesday, December 28, 2004 / Notices 77719

2391), and as further amended by Public 

Law 107–210. Funds in the amount of 

$8,322,335 have been appropriated for 

FY 2005 and shall remain available 

until expended. 

EDA expects to allocate 

approximately $6.8 M to the University 

Center Program and the remaining funds 

to LEDA’s Local and National Technical 

Assistance programs. The amount of 

University Center funding available for 

competition in FY 2005 is expected to 

be approximately $1,717,517 in the 

Philadelphia Regional Office and 

approximately $918,376 in the Chicago 

Regional Office. Anticipated annual 

awards for University Centers under the 

FY 2005 competition are in the $75,000 

to $200,000 range. Regional Offices may, 

however, choose to fund proposals 

under this competition outside that 

range. The remaining FY 2005 program 

funds will be used to continue support 

for current University Centers. Subject 

to the availability of funding, the funds 

made available under this Program are 

anticipated to be available until 

expended. 

Statutory Authority: The authority for 

programs listed below is the Public 

Works and Economic Development Act 

of 1965, as amended (Public Law 89–

136, 42 U.S.C. 3121, et seq.) and as 

further amended by the Economic 

Development Administration 

Reauthorization Act (Public Law 108–

373). 

CFDA: 11.303, Economic 

Development—Technical Assistance.

Eligibility: For the University Center 

program, EDA considers all accredited 

institutions of higher education as 

eligible applicants. 

For FY 2005 the University Center 

competition is open to eligible 

applicants in areas served by EDA’s 

Philadelphia regional office and Chicago 

regional office. The Philadelphia 

regional office serves Connecticut, 

Delaware, District of Columbia, Maine, 

Maryland, Massachusetts, New 

Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, 

Pennsylvania, Puerto Rico, Rhodes 

Island, Vermont, Virginia, Virgin 

Islands, and West Virginia. The Chicago 

region serves Illinois, Indiana, 

Michigan, Minnesota, Ohio, and 

Wisconsin. 

Cost Sharing Requirements:

Generally, the amount of the EDA grant 

may not exceed 50 percent of the cost 

of the project, unless the project meets 

the requirements in 42 U.S.C. 3144. 

Projects meeting the criteria may receive 

an additional amount that shall not 

exceed 30 percent, based on the relative 

needs of the area in which the project 

will be located. See 42 U.S.C. 3144. 

While cash contributions are 

encouraged, in-kind contributions, fairly 

evaluated by EDA, may include 

assumptions of debt and contributions 

of space, equipment, and services and 

may provide the non-Federal share of 

the project cost. 42 U.S.C. 3144. In-kind 

contributions must be eligible project 

costs and meet applicable Federal cost 

principles and uniform administrative 

requirements. Id. EDA may supplement 

the costs of a project up to and 

including 100 percent of such project 

costs where the applicant is able to 

demonstrate that the project meets the 

requirements of 42 U.S.C. 3144(c). 

Potential applicants should contact the 

appropriate EDA office to make this 

determination. 

Funds from other Federal awards may 

not be considered matching funds. The 

nature of contribution (cash versus inkind) and the amount of matching funds 

will be taken into consideration in the 

review process. Cash contributions are 

preferred. 

Intergovernmental Review:

Applications under this program are 

subject to Executive Order 12372, 

‘‘Intergovernmental Review of Federal 

Programs.’’

Evaluation and Section Procedures:

EDA’s Philadelphia and Chicago 

regional offices will conduct an initial 

administrative and technical review of 

each proposal package to determine its 

completeness and compliance with 

requirements. 

EDA’s Philadelphia and Chicago 

regional offices will then conduct an 

internal review of each proposal 

meeting the requirements of this 

solicitation. This review will be 

conducted by a minimum of three EDA 

staff using the criteria provided in the 

‘‘Evaluation Criteria’’ section below. 

Successful proponents under this 

competition solicitation will be invited 

to submit a complete application by the 

Philadelphia or Chicago regional office. 

Evaluation Criteria: EDA investments 

in proposed University Centers will be 

competitively rated and ranked on their 

ability to meet or exceed the criteria set 

forth at 13 CFR 304.2, as further defined 

by the following investment policy 

guidelines (each criterion will be given 

equivalent weight): 

1. Be market-based and results driven.

An investment in an EDA University 

Center will capitalize on the university’s 

competitive strengths and will bolster 

regional economic competitiveness, 

resulting in tangible, quantifiable 

improvements in regional economic 

health—such as increased numbers of 

higher-skill, higher-wage jobs, increased 

tax revenue or increased private sector 

investment. 

2. Have strong organizational 

leadership. An investment will have 

strong leadership, relevant project 

management experience, and a 

significant commitment of human 

resources talent to ensure a highperforming University Center. 

Specifically for University Center 

investments, this includes; (a) the extent 

to which the proposed University 

Center will maximize coordination with 

other relevant organizations and avoid 

duplication of services offered by other 

organizations, (b) the extent to which 

the University Center will access, take 

advantage of, and be supported by the 

other resources present at the 

sponsoring institution—especially the 

institution’s economic development 

activities, (c) the degree of evidence 

demonstrating the support and 

commitment (both financial and nonfinancial) of the proposed University 

Center’s mission from the leadership of 

the sponsoring institution. 

3. Advance productivity, innovation 

and entrepreneurship. An investment in 

a proposed University Center will 

embrace the principles of 

entrepreneurship; enhance regional 

industry clusters, and leverage and link 

technology innovators (university 

research) with the private sector to 

create the conditions for greater 

productivity, innovation and higherskill, higher-wage job creation. 

4. Look beyond the immediate 

economic horizon, anticipate economic 

changes, and diversify the local and 

regional economy. A University Center’s 

activities will be part of an overarching, 

long-term comprehensive economic 

development strategy that enhances a 

region’s success in achieving a rising 

standard of living. 

5. Demonstrate a high degree of 

commitment by exhibiting:

• High levels of local government or 

non-profit matching funds and private 

sector leverage. 

• Clear and unified leadership and 

support by local elected officials. 

• Strong cooperation between the 

business sector, relevant regional 

partners and local, state and federal 

governments. 

In making its recommendations on 

which institutions should be invited to 

submit a full application, the EDA 

review team will strive to avoid the 

concentration of program funding in a 

single or very limited number of 

geographic areas. For that reason, EDA 

cannot predict a minimum ranking of a 

successful proposal. 

Selection Factors: EDA expects to 

fund the highest ranking proposals 

submitted under this competition of 

solicitation. However, EDA may 

77720 Federal Register / Vol. 69, No. 248 / Tuesday, December 28, 2004 / Notices 

selected proposals out of order for 

several reasons including: (1) 

Availability of funding; (2) geographic 

balance in distribution of funds; (3) 

program priorities and policy factors as 

set out in the full funding opportunity 

announcement; or (4) applicant’s 

performance under previous awards. 

The Department of Commerce PreAward Notification Requirements for 

Grants and Cooperative Agreements

The Department of Commerce PreAward Notification Requirements for 

Grants and Cooperative Agreements 

contained in the Federal Register notice 

of October 1, 2001 (66 FR 49917), as 

amended by the Federal Register notice 

published on October 30, 2002 (67 FR 

66109), are applicable to this 

solicitation. 

Teleconference 

EDA’s Philadelphia and Chicago 

regional offices will each hold a 

teleconference to answer questions 

about the FY 2005 competition for 

University Center funding. 

Philadelphia: The Philadelphia 

regional office will hold its call on 

March 23, 2005, at 2 p.m. EST. In order 

to assure enough incoming lines are 

available, EDA requests colleges and 

universities planning to participate in 

the conference call to send an email to 

WGood@eda.doc.gov with ‘‘Conference 

Call Registration’’ in the subject line no 

later than 5 p.m. EST on March 18, 

2005. The number for the conference 

call is 888–928–9122. The pass code for 

this conference call is ‘‘PRO.’’

Chicago: The Chicago regional office 

will hold its call on March 22, 2005, at 

11 a.m. CST. In order to assure enough 

incoming lines are available, EDA 

requests colleges and universities 

planning to participate in the 

conference call to send an email to 

RBUSH@eda.doc.gov with ‘‘Conference 

Call Registration’’ in the subject line no 

later than 5 p.m. CST on March 18, 

2005. The number for conference call is 

888–570–6152. The pass code for this 

conference call is ‘‘54776.’’

Paperwork Reduction Act 

This document contains collection-ofinformation requirements subject to the 

Paperwork Reduction Act (PRA). The 

use of Form ED–900P has been 

approved by OMB under the control 

number 0610–0094. Notwithstanding 

any other provision of law, no person is 

required to respond to, nor shall any 

person be subject to a penalty for failure 

to comply with, a collection of 

information subject to the requirements 

of the PRA unless that collection of 

information displays a currently valid 

OMB control number. 

Executive Order 12866

This notice has been determined to be 

not significant for purposes of Executive 

Order 12866. 

Executive Order 13132 (Federalism) 

It has been determined that this notice 

does not contain policies with 

federalism implications as that term is 

defined in Executive Order 13132. 

Administrative Procedure Act/

Regulatory Flexibility Act 

Prior notice and an opportunity for 

public comments are not required by the 

Administrative Procedure Act or any 

other law for rules concerning grants, 

benefits, and contracts (5 U.S.C. 

553(a)(2)). Because notice and 

opportunity for comment are not 

required pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 553 or any 

other law, the analytical requirements of 

the Regulatory Flexibility Act (5 U.S.C. 

601 et seq.) are inapplicable. Therefore, 

a regulatory flexibility analysis has not 

been prepared.

Dated: December 21, 2004. 

David A. Sampson, 

Assistant Secretary for Economic 

Development.

[FR Doc. 04–28375 Filed 12–27–04; 8:45 am] 

BILLING CODE 3510–24–M

DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

Bureau of Industry and Security 

Prior Notification of Exports Under 

License Exception AGR

ACTION: Proposed Collection; comment 

request. 

SUMMARY: The Department of 

Commerce, as part of its continuing 

effort to reduce paperwork and 

respondent burden, invites the general 

public and other Federal agencies to 

take this opportunity to comment on 

proposed and/or continuing information 

collections, as required by the 

Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, 

Public Law 104–13 (44 U.S.C. 

3506(c)(2)(A)).

DATES: Written comments must be 

submitted on or before February 28, 

2005.

ADDRESSES: Direct all written comments 

to Diana Hynek, Departmental 

Paperwork Clearance Officer, (202) 482–

0266, Department of Commerce, Room 

6626, 14th and Constitution Avenue, 

NW., Washington, DC 20230.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Requests for additional information or 

copies of the information collection 

instrument(s) and instructions should 

be directed to Stephen Baker, BIS ICB 

Liaison, Department of Commerce, 

Room 6622, 14th and Constitution 

Avenue, NW., Washington, DC, 20230.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

I. Abstract 

Section 906 of the TSRA requires that 

exports of agricultural commodities, 

medicine or medical devices to Cuba or 

to the government of a country that has 

been determined by the Secretary of 

State to have repeatedly provide support 

for acts of international terrorism, or to 

any other entity in such a country, are 

made pursuant to one-year licenses 

issued by the U.S. Government, while 

further providing that the requirements 

of one-year licenses shall be no more 

restrictive than license exceptions 

administered by the Department of 

Commerce, except that procedures shall 

be in place to deny licenses for exports 

to any entity within such country 

promoting international terrorism. 

To meet the requirements of TSRA, 

BIS is imposing a prior notification 

procedure under new License Exception 

Agricultural Commodities (AGR). 

Exports and certain reexports of 

agricultural commodities will be 

authorized under License Exception 

AGR to Cuba. 

II. Method of Collection 

Submitted on forms. 

III. Data 

OMB Number: 0694–0123. 

Form Number: BIS–748P. 

Type of Review: Regular submission 

for extension of a currently approved 

collection. 

Affected Public: Individuals, 

businesses or other for-profit and notfor-profit institutions. 

Estimated Number of Respondents:

250. 

Estimated Time Per Response: 52–57 

minutes per response. 

Estimated Total Annual Burden 

Hours: 926 hours. 

Estimated Total Annual Cost: No 

start-up capital expenditures. 

IV. Request for Comments 

Comments are invited on: (a) Whether 

the proposed collection of information 

is necessary for the proper performance 

of the functions of the agency, including 

whether the information shall have 

practical utility; (b) the accuracy of the 

agency’s estimate of the burden 

(including hours and cost) of the 

proposed collection of information; (c) 

ways to enhance the quality, utility, and 

clarity of the information to be