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are also invited on the environmental review, including possible changes in the scope or other issues that should be addressed in the review. At a later date, USTR, through the TPSC, will publish notice of reviews regarding the impact of the proposed agreement on U.S. employment and labor markets. These reviews will take into account Japan’s participation in the negotiations.

A hearing will be held beginning at 9:30 a.m. on July 2, 2013 in the Main Hearing Room of the United States International Trade Commission, 500 E Street SW., Washington, DC 20436. Persons wishing to testify at the hearing must provide written notification of their intention by 11:59 p.m., June 9. The intent to testify notification must be made in the ‘‘Type Comment’’ field
under docket number USTR–2013–0022 on the regulations.gov Web site and should include the name, address and telephone number of the person presenting the testimony. A summary of the testimony should be attached by using the ‘‘Upload File’’ field. The name
of the file should also include who will be presenting the testimony. Remarks at the hearing should be limited to no
more than five minutes to allow for possible questions from the TPSC.

3. Requirements for Submissions

Persons submitting comments must do so in English and must identify (on the first page of the submission)‘‘Participation of Japan in the TransPacific Partnership Trade Negotiations.’’ In order to be assured of consideration, comments should be submitted by 11:59 p.m., June 9, 2013. In order to ensure the timely receipt and consideration of comments, USTR strongly encourages
commenters to make on-line submissions, using the www.regulations.gov Web site. To
submit comments via www.regulations.gov, enter docket
number USTR–2013–0022 on the home page and click ‘‘search.’’ The site will provide a search-results page listing all
documents associated with this docket.
Find a reference to this notice and click
on the link entitled ‘‘Comment Now!’’ (For further information on using the www.regulations.gov Web site, please consult the resources provided on the Web site by clicking on ‘‘How to Use
This Site’’ on the left side of the home page).

The www.regulations.gov Web site allows users to provide comments by filling in a ‘‘Type Comment’’ field, or by attaching a document using an ‘‘Upload File’’ field. USTR prefers that comments be provided in an attached document. If a document is attached, it is sufficient to type ‘‘See attached’’ in the ‘‘Type Comment’’ field. USTR prefers submissions in Microsoft Word (.doc) or Adobe Acrobat (.pdf). If the submission is in an application other than those two, please indicate the name of the application in the ‘‘Type Comment’’
field.

For any comments submitted electronically containing business confidential information, the file name
of the business confidential version should begin with the characters ‘‘BC’’. Any page containing business confidential information must be clearly
marked ‘‘BUSINESS CONFIDENTIAL’’ on the top of that page. Filers of submissions containing business
confidential information must also submit a public version of their comments. The file name of the public version should begin with the character
‘‘P’’. The ‘‘BC’’ and ‘‘P’’ should be followed by the name of the person or entity submitting the comments or reply comments. Filers submitting comments containing no business confidential information should name their file using the name of the person or entity submitting the comments.

Please do not attach separate cover letters to electronic submissions; rather, include any information that might appear in a cover letter in the comments themselves. Similarly, to the extent possible, please include any exhibits, annexes, or other attachments in the same file as the submission itself, not as separate files.

As noted, USTR strongly urges submitters to file comments through www.regulations.gov, if at all possible. Any alternative arrangements must be made with Ms. Jamison in advance of transmitting a comment. Ms. Jamison should be contacted at (202) 395–3475. General information concerning USTR
is available at www.ustr.gov.

Comments will be placed in the docket and open to public inspection, except business confidential information. Comments may be viewed
on the http:www.regulations.gov Web site by entering the relevant docket
number in the search field on the home

page.

Laurie-Ann Agama,
Acting Chairman, Trade Policy Staff

Committee.

[FR Doc. 2013–10724 Filed 5–6–13; 8:45 am]

**BILLING CODE 3290–F3–P DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION** 

**Office of the Secretary**

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

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

**ACTION :**  Notice of Funding Availability for the Southeast Region.

**SUMMARY :**  The Department of Transportation (DOT), Office of the Secretary (OST), Office of Small and Disadvantaged Business Utilization (OSDBU) announces the opportunityfor; (1) business centered communitybased organizations; (2) transportationrelated trade associations; (3) colleges and universities; (4) community colleges or; (5) chambers of commerce, registered
with the Internal Revenue Service as 501 C (6) or 501 C (3) tax-exempt organizations, to compete for participation in OSDBU’s Small Business Transportation Resource Center (SBTRC) program in the Southeast Region.

OSDBU will enter into Cooperative Agreements with these organizations to provide outreach to the small business community in their designated region and provide financial and technical assistance, business training programs, business assessment, management training, counseling, marketing and outreach, and the dissemination of information, to encourage and assist
small businesses to become better prepared to compete for, obtain, andmanage DOT funded transportationrelated contracts and subcontracts at the federal, state and local levels. Throughout this notice, the term ‘‘small business’’ will refer to: 8(a), small disadvantaged businesses (SDB), disadvantaged business enterprises (DBE), women owned small businesses (WOSB), HubZone, service disabled veteran owned businesses (SDVOB), and
veteran owned small businesses (VOSB). Throughout this notice, ‘‘transportation-related’’ is defined as the maintenance, rehabilitation, restructuring, improvement, or revitalization of any of the nation’s modes of transportation.

Funding Opportunity Number:

USDOT–OST–OSDBU–

SBTRC2013SER–4.

Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance (CFDA) Number: 20.910 Assistance to Small and Disadvantaged

Businesses.


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Type of Award: Cooperative Agreement.

Award Ceiling: $150,000.

Award Floor: $125,000. Program Authority: DOT is authorized under 49 U.S.C. 332 (b) (4), (5) & (7) to design and carry out programs to assist small disadvantaged businesses in getting transportation-related contracts and subcontracts; develop support mechanisms, including management and technical services, that will enable small disadvantaged businesses to take advantage of those business opportunities; and to make arrangements to carry out the above

purposes.

**DATES :**  Complete Proposals must be electronically submitted to OSDBU via email on or before June 17, 2013 5:00 p.m. Eastern Standard Time (EST). Proposals received after the deadline will be considered non-responsive and will not be reviewed. The applicant is advised to request delivery receipt
notification for email submissions. DOT plans to give notice of award for the competed region on or before July 1,

2013.

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

**FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT :**  For further information concerning this notice, contact Ms. Patricia Martin, Program Analyst or Mark Antoniewicz, Small Business Specialist, at the U.S. Department of Transportation, Office of Small and Disadvantaged Business Utilization, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE., W56–462, Washington, DC, 20590. Telephone: 1–800–532–1169 or email patricia.martin@dot.gov or mark.antoniewicz@dot.gov.

**SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION :** 

Table of Contents

1. Introduction

1.1 Background 1.2 Program Description and Goals 1.3 Description of Competition 1.4 Duration of Agreements 1.5 Authority 1.6 Eligibility Requirements 2. Program Requirements

2.1 Recipient Responsibilities 2.2 Office of Small and Disadvantaged

Business Utilization Responsibilities 3. Submission of Proposals

3.1 Format for Proposals 3.2 Address, Number of Copies, Deadline

for Submission
4. Selection Criteria

4.1 General Criteria 4.2 Scoring of Applications
4.3 Conflicts of Interest Format for Proposals—Appendix A Full Text of Announcement

1. Introduction

1.1 Background

The Department of Transportation (DOT) established Office of Small and Disadvantaged Business Utilization (OSDBU) in accordance with Public Law 95–507, an amendment to the
Small Business Act and the Small
Business Investment Act of 1958.

The mission of OSDBU at DOT is to ensure that the small and disadvantaged business policies and goals of the Secretary of Transportation are developed and implemented in a fair,
efficient and effective manner to serve small and disadvantaged businesses throughout the country. The OSDBU also administers the provisions of Title 49, Section 332, the Minority Resource Center (MRC) which includes the duties of advocacy, outreach and financial
services on behalf of small and disadvantaged business and those certified under CFR 49 parts 23 and or 26 as Disadvantaged Business Enterprises (DBE) and the development of programs to encourage, stimulate, promote and assist small businesses to become better prepared to compete for,obtain and manage transportationrelated contracts and subcontracts.

The Regional Assistance Division of OSDBU, through the SBTRC program, allows OSDBU to partner with local organizations to offer a comprehensive delivery system of business training,
technical assistance and dissemination of information, targeted towards small business transportation enterprises in their regions.

1.2 Program Description and Goals

The national SBTRC program utilizes Cooperative Agreements with chambers of commerce, trade associations,
educational institutions and businesscentered community based organizations to establish SBTRCs to provide business training, technical
assistance and information to DOT grantees and recipients, prime
contractors and subcontractors. In order to be effective and serve their target audience, the SBTRCs must be active in the local transportation community in order to identify and communicate opportunities and provide the required
technical assistance. SBTRCs must already have, or demonstrate the ability to, establish working relationships with the state and local transportation agencies and technical assistance agencies (i.e., The U.S. Department of Commerce’s Minority Business Development Centers (MBDCs), Small Business Development Centers (SBDCs), and Procurement Technical Assistance Centers (PTACs), SCORE and State DOT highway supportive services contractors in their region. Utilizing these relationships and their own expertise,
the SBTRCs are involved in activities such as information dissemination, small business counseling, and
technical assistance with small businesses currently doing business with public and private entities in the transportation industry.

Effective outreach is critical to the success of the SBTRC program. In order for their outreach efforts to be effective,
SBTRCs must be familiar with DOT’s Operating Administrations, its funding sources, and how funding is awarded to DOT grantees, recipients, contractors, subcontractors, and its financial assistance programs. SBTRCs must provide outreach to the regional small business transportation community to
disseminate information and distribute DOT-published marketing materials, such as Short Term Lending Program (STLP) Information, Bonding Education Program (BEP) information, SBTRC brochures and literature, Procurement Forecasts; Contracting with DOT booklets, Women and Girls in Transportation Initiative (WITI) information, and any other materials or resources that DOT or OSDBU may develop for this purpose. To maximize outreach, the SBTRC may be called upon to participate in regional and
national conferences and seminars.Quantities of DOT publications for onhand inventory and dissemination at
conferences and seminars will be available upon request from the OSDBU
office.

1.3 Description of Competition

The purpose of this Request For Proposal (RFP) is to solicit proposals from transportation-related trade associations, chambers of commerce, community based entities, colleges and universities, community colleges, andany other qualifying transportationrelated non-profit organizations with the desire and ability to partner with
OSDBU to establish and maintain an

SBTRC.

It is OSDBU’s intent to award a Cooperative Agreement to one organization in the Southeast Region, from herein referred to as ‘‘region’’, in this solicitation. However, if warranted, OSDBU reserves the option to make multiple awards to selected partners. Proposals submitted for a region must contain a plan to service all states listed in the entire region, not just the SBTRC’s state or local geographical area. The region’s SBTRC headquarters must be established in one of the designated


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states set forth below. Submitted proposals must also contain justification
for the establishment of the SBTRC headquarters in a particular city within the designated state.

SBTRC Region Competed in This
Solicitation:
Southeast Regions:

Florida

Alabama Mississippi

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

Ceiling: $150,000 per year Floor: $125,000 per year Cooperative agreement awards by region are based upon an analysis of DBEs, Certified Small Businesses, and US DOT transportation dollars in each region.

It is OSDBU’s intent to maximize the benefits received by the small business transportation community through the SBTRC. Funding may be utilized to reimburse an on-site Project Director up to 100% of salary plus fringe benefits, an on-site Executive Director up to 20% of salary plus fringe benefits, up to 100% of a Project Coordinator salary plus fringe benefits, the cost of designated SBTRC space, other direct costs, and all other general and administrative expenses. Selected SBTRC partners will be expected to provide in-kind administrative support. Submitted proposals must contain an alternative funding source with which
the SBTRC will fund administrative support costs. Preference will be given to proposals containing in-kind contributions for the Project Director, the Executive Director, the Project Coordinator, cost of designated SBTRC space, other direct costs, and all other general and administrative expenses. 1.4 Duration of Agreements

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

1.5 Authority

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

purposes.
1.6 Eligibility Requirements

To be eligible, an organization must be an established, nonprofit, community-based organization, transportation-related trade association, chamber of commerce, college or university, community college, and any other qualifying transportation-related non-profit organization which has the documented experience and capacity necessary to successfully operate and administer a coordinated delivery system that provides access for small businesses to prepare and compete for transportation-related contracts.

In addition, to be eligible, the applicant organization must:

(A) Be an established 501 C (3) or 501 C (6) tax-exempt organization and provide documentation as verification. No application will be accepted without proof of tax-exempt status;

(B) Have at least one year of documented and continuous experience prior to the date of application in providing advocacy, outreach, and
technical assistance to small businesses within the region in which proposed services will be provided. Prior performance providing services to the transportation community is preferable, but not required; and

(C) Have an office physically located within the proposed city in the designated headquarters state in the region for which they are submitting the proposal that is readily accessible to the public. 2. Program Requirements

2.1 Recipient Responsibilities

(A) Assessments, Business Analyses

1. Conduct an assessment of small businesses in the SBTRC region to determine their training and technical assistance needs, and use information
that is available at no cost to structure programs and services that will enable
small businesses to become better prepared to compete for and receive transportation-related contract awards.

2. Contact other federal, state and local government agencies, such as the
U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA), state and local highway agencies, state and local airport authorities, and transit authorities to identify relevant and current information that may support the assessment of the regional small business transportation community needs.

(B) General Management & Technical Training and Assistance

1. Utilize OSDBU’s Monthly Reporting Form to document each small business assisted by the SBTRC and type of service(s) provided. The completed form must be transmitted electronically to the SBTRC Program Analyst on a monthly basis, accompanied by a narrative report on the activities and performance results for that period. The data gathered must be supportive by the narrative and must
relate to the numerical data on the monthly reports.

2. Ensure that an array of information
is made available for distribution to the small business transportation community that is designed to inform and educate the community on DOT/ OSDBU services and opportunities.

3. Coordinate efforts with OSDBU’s in order to maintain an on-hand inventory
of DOT/OSDBU informational materials for general dissemination and for distribution at transportation-related
conferences and other events.

(C) Business Counseling

1. Collaborate with agencies, such as the State, Regional, and Local Transportation Government Agencies, SBA, U.S. Department of Commerce’s Minority Business Development Centers (MBDCs), Service Corps of Retired Executives (SCORE), Procurement Technical Assistance Centers (PTACs), and Small Business Development Centers (SBDCs), to offer a broad rangeof counseling services to transportationrelated small business enterprises.

2. Create a technical assistance plan that will provide each counseled participant with the knowledge and


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skills necessary to improve the management of their own smallbusiness to expand their transportationrelated contracts and subcontracts portfolio.

3. Provide a minimum of 20 hours of individual or group counseling sessions to small businesses per month.

(D) Planning Committee

1. Establish a Regional Planning Committee consisting of at least 7 members that includes representatives from the regional community and federal, state, and local agencies. The highway, airport, and transit authorities for the SBTRC’s headquarters state must have representation on the planning
committee. This committee shall be established no later than 60 days after the execution of the Cooperative agreement between the OSDBU and the
selected SBRTC.

2. Provide a forum for the federal, state, and local agencies to disseminate information about upcoming procurements.

3. Hold either monthly or quarterly meetings at a time and place agreed upon by SBTRC and planning
committee members.

4. Use the initial session (teleconference call) by the SBTRC explain the mission of the committee and identify roles of the staff and the members of the group.

5. Responsibility for the agenda and direction of the Planning Committee should be handled by the SBTRC Executive Director or his/her designee.

(E) Outreach Services/Conference Participation

1. Utilize the services of the System for Award Management (SAM) and
other sources to construct a database of regional small businesses that currently or may in the future participate in DOT direct and DOT funded transportation related contracts, and make this database available to OSDBU, upon request.

2. Utilize the database of regional transportation-related small businesses to match opportunities identified through the planning committee forum, FedBiz Opps (a web-based system for posting solicitations and other Federal procurement-related documents on the Internet), and other sources to eligible
small businesses and inform the small business community about those opportunities.

3. Develop a ‘‘targeted’’ database of firms (100–150) that have the capacity and capabilities, and are ready, willing and able to participate in DOT contracts and subcontracts immediately. This control group will receive ample resources from the SBTRC, i.e., access to working capital, bonding assistance, business counseling, management
assistance and direct referrals to DOT agencies at the state and local levels, and to prime contractors as effective
subcontractor firms.

4. Identify regional, state and local conferences where a significant number of small businesses, with transportation related capabilities, are expected to be
in attendance. Maintain and submit a
list of those events to the SBTRC Program Analyst for review and posting on the OSDBU Web site on a monthly basis. Clearly identify the events designated for SBTRC participation and
include recommendations for OSDBU participation.

5. Conduct outreach and disseminate
information to small businesses at regional transportation-related conferences, seminars, and workshops. In the event that the SBTRC is requested to participate in an event, the SBTRC will send DOT materials, the OSDBU
banner and other information that is deemed necessary for the event.

6. Submit a conference summary report to OSDBU no later than 5 business days after participation in the
event or conference. The conference summary report must summarize activities, contacts, outreach results, and
recommendations for continued or discontinued participation in future similar events sponsored by that organization.

7. Upon request by OSDBU, coordinate efforts with DOT’s grantees and recipients at the state and/or local levels to sponsor or cosponsor an OSDBU transportation related conference in the region

8. Participate in monthly teleconference call with the Regional Assistance Division Program Manager
and OSDBU staff.

(F) Short Term Lending Program (STLP)

1. Work with STLP participating banks and if not available, other lending
institutions to deliver a minimum of five (5) seminars/workshops per year on the STLP financial assistance program to the transportation-related small business community. The seminar/ workshop must cover the entire STLP process, from completion of STLP loan applications and preparation of the loan package to graduation from the STLP.

2. Provide direct support, technical support, and advocacy services to potential STLP applicants to increase the probability of STLP loan approval and generate a minimum of 7 approved STLP applications per year. (G) Bonding Education Program (BEP)
Work with OSDBU, bonding industry partners, local small business transportation stakeholders, and local bond producers/agents in your region to deliver a minimum of 2 complete BEP
seminars. The BEP consists of the following components; (1) The stakeholder’s meeting; (2) the educational workshops component; (3) the bond readiness component; and 4) follow-on assistance to BEP participants via technical and procurement assistance based on the prescriptive plan determined by the BEP. For each BEP event, work with the local bond producers/agents in your region and the disadvantaged business participants to deliver minimum of 10 disadvantaged business participants in the BEP event with either access to bonding or an increase in bonding capacity. Furnish all labor, facilities and equipment to perform the services described in this

announcement.
(H) Women and Girls in Transportation Initiative (WITI)

Pursuant to Executive Order 13506, and 49 U.S.C. 332(b)(4) & (7), the SBTRC
shall administer the WITI in their geographical region. The SBTRC shall implement the DOT WITI program as defined by the DOT WITI Policy. The WITI program is designed to identify, educate, attract, and retain women and girls from a variety of disciplines in the transportation industry. The SBTRC shall also be responsible for outreach activities in the implementation of this program and advertising the WITI program to all colleges and universities and transportation entities in their region. The WITI program shall be developed in conjunction with the skill needs of the USDOT, state and local transportation agencies and appropriate private sector transportation-related participants including, S/WOBs/DBEs, and women organizations involved in transportation. Emphasis shall be placed on establishing partnerships with transportation-related businesses. The SBTRC will be required to host 1 WITI
event and attend at least 5 events where WITI is presented and marketed.

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

(A) Provide consultation and technical assistance in planning, implementing and evaluating activities
under this announcement.

(B) Provide orientation and training to the applicant organization.

(C) Monitor SBTRC activities, cooperative agreement compliance, and overall SBTRC performance.


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(D) Assist SBTRC to develop or strengthen its relationships with federal, state, and local transportation authorities, other technical assistance organizations, and DOT grantees.

(E) Facilitate the exchange and transfer of successful program activities and information among all SBTRC regions.

(F) Provide the SBTRC with DOT/
OSDBU materials and other relevant transportation related information for
dissemination.

(G) Maintain effective communication
with the SBTRC and inform them of transportation news and contracting opportunities to share with small businesses in their region.

(H) Provide all required forms to be used by the SBTRC for reporting purposes under the program.

(I) Perform an annual performance evaluation of the SBTRC. Satisfactory performance is a condition of continued participation of the organization as an SBTRC and execution of all option

years. 3. Submission of Proposals

3.1 Format for Proposals

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

3.2 Address; Number of Copies; Deadlines for Submission

Any eligible organization, as defined in Section 1.6 of this announcement, will submit only one proposal per organization for consideration by OSDBU. Applications must be double spaced, and printed in a font size not smaller than 12 points. Applications will not exceed 35 single-sided pages, not including any requested attachments. All pages should be numbered at the top of each page. All documentation, attachments, or other information pertinent to the application must be included in a single submission. Proposal packages must be submitted electronically to OSDBU at SBTRC@dot.gov. The applicant is advised to turn on request delivery receipt notification for email submission. Proposals must be received by DOT/OSDBU no later than June 17, 2013, 5:00 p.m., EST. If you have any problems submitting your proposal, please email patricia.martin@dot.gov or mark.antoniewicz@dot.gov or telephone (202) 366–1930.

4. Selection Criteria

4.1 General Criteria

OSDBU will award the cooperative agreement on a best value basis, using the following criteria to rate and rank applications:

Applications will be evaluated using a point system (maximum number of points = 100);

• Approach and strategy (25 points)

• Linkages (25 points)

• Organizational Capability/Site visit

(25 points)

• Staff Capabilities and Experience (15

points)

• Cost Proposal (10 points)

(A) Approach and Strategy (25 Points)

The applicant must describe their strategy to achieve the overall mission
of the SBTRC as described in this
solicitation and service the small business community in their entire geographic regional area. The applicant must also describe how the specific
activities outlined in Section 2.1 will be implemented and executed in the organization’s regional area. OSDBU
will consider the extent to which the proposed objectives are specific, measurable, time-specific, and consistent with OSDBU goals and the applicant organization’s overall mission. OSDBU will give priority consideration to applicants that demonstrate innovation and creativity in their approach to assist small businesses to become successful transportation contractors and increase their ability to access DOT contracting opportunities and financial assistance programs. Applicants must also submit the estimated direct costs, other than labor, to execute their proposed strategy. OSDBU will consider the quality of the applicant’s plan for conducting program
activities and the likelihood that the proposed methods will be successful in achieving proposed objectives at the proposed cost.

(B) Linkages (25 Points)

The applicant must describe their established relationships within their geographic region and demonstrate their ability to coordinate and establish effective networks with DOT grant recipients and local/regional technical assistance agencies to maximize
resources. OSDBU will consider innovative aspects of the applicant’s approach and strategy to build upon their existing relationships and established networks with existing resources in their geographical area. The applicant should describe their strategy to obtain support and collaboration on SBTRC activities from DOT grantees and recipients, transportation prime contractors and subcontractors, the SBA, U.S. Department of Commerce’s Minority Business Development Centers (MBDCs), Service Corps of Retired Executives (SCORE), Procurement Technical Assistance Centers (PTACs), Small Business Development Centers (SBDCs), State DOTs, and State highway supportive services contractors. In rating this factor, OSDBU will consider the extent to which the applicant demonstrates ability to be multidimensional. The applicant must demonstrate that they have the ability to access a broad range of supportive services to effectively serve a broad range of transportation-related small businesses within their respective geographical region. Emphasis will also be placed on the extent to which the applicant identifies a clear outreach strategy related to the identified needs that can be successfully carried out within the period of this agreement and a plan for involving the Planning
Committee in the execution of that strategy.
(C) Organizational Capability (25 Points)

The applicant must demonstrate that they have the organizational capability to meet the program requirements set forth in Section 2. The applicant organization must have sufficient resources and past performance experience to successfully provide
outreach to the small business transportation resources in their geographical area and carry out the mission of the SBTRC. In rating this factor, OSDBU will consider the extent to which the applicant’s organization has recent, relevant and successful experience in advocating for and addressing the needs of small businesses. Applicants will be given points for demonstrated past transportation-related performance. The applicant must also describe technical and administrative resources it plans to use in achieving proposed objectives. In their description, the applicant must describe their facilities, computer and technical facilities, ability to tap into volunteer staff time, and a plan for sufficient matching alternative financial resources to fund the general and
administrative costs of the SBTRC. The applicant must also describe their
administrative and financial management staff. It will be the responsibility of the successful candidate to not only provide the
services outlined herein to small businesses in the transportation industry, but to also successfully manage and maintain their internal financial, payment and invoicing process with their financial management offices. OSDBU will place an emphasis on capabilities of the applicant’s financial management staff. Additionally, a site visit will be


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required prior to award for those candidates that are being strongly
considered. A member of the OSDBU
team will contact those candidates to schedule the site visits prior to the award of the agreement.

(D) Staff Capability and Experience (15 Points)

The applicant organization must provide a list of proposed personnel for the project, with salaries, fringe benefit burden factors, educational levels and previous experience clearly delineated. The applicant’s project team must be well-qualified, knowledgeable, and able to effectively serve the diverse and broad range of small businesses in their geographical region. The Executive Director and the Project Director shall be deemed key personnel. Detailed
resumes must be submitted for all proposed key personnel and outside
consultants and subcontractors. Proposed key personnel must have detailed demonstrated experience providing services similar in scope and nature to the proposed effort. The proposed Project Director will serve as the responsible individual for the program. 100% of the Project Director’s
time must be dedicated to the SBTRC.
Both the Executive Director and the Project Director must be located on-site. In this element, OSDBU will consider the extent to which the applicant’s proposed Staffing Plan; (a) clearly meets the education and experience requirements to accomplish the objectives of the cooperative agreement; (b) delineates staff responsibilities and accountability for all work required and; (c) presents a clear and feasible ability to execute the applicant’s proposed approach and strategy.

(E) Cost Proposal (10 Points)

Applicants must submit the total proposed cost of establishing and administering the SBTRC in the applicant’s geographical region for a 12 month period, inclusive of costs funded through alternative matching resources. The applicant’s budget must be adequate to support the proposed strategy and costs must be reasonable in relation to project objectives. The portion of the submitted budget funded by OSDBU cannot exceed the ceiling outlined in Section 1.3: Description of Competition of this RFP per fiscal year. Applicants are encouraged to provide
in-kind costs and other innovative cost approaches.

4.2 Scoring of Applications

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

4.3 Conflicts of Interest

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

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

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

1. Table of Contents

Identify all parts, sections and attachments of the application.

2. Application Summary

Provide a summary overview of the following:

• The applicant’s proposed SBTRC region and city and key elements of the plan of action/strategy to achieve the SBTRC objectives.

• The applicant’s relevant organizational experience and capabilities.

3. Understanding of the Work

Provide a narrative which contains specific project information as follows:

• The applicant will describe its understanding of the OSDBU’s SBTRC program mission and the role of the applicant’s proposed SBTRC in advancing the program goals.

• The applicant will describe specific outreach needs of transportation-related small businesses in the applicant’s region
and how the SBTRC will address the
identified needs.

4. Approach and Strategy

• Describe the applicant’s plan of action/ strategy for conducting the program in terms of the tasks to be performed.

• Describe the specific services or activities to be performed and how these services/activities will be implemented. • Describe innovative and creative approaches to assist small businesses to become successful transportation contractors and increase their ability to access DOT contracting opportunities and financial assistance programs.

• Estimated direct costs, other than labor, to execute the proposed strategy.

5. Linkages

• Describe established relationships within the geographic region and demonstrate the ability to coordinate and establish effective networks with DOT grant recipients and local/regional technical assistance agencies.

• Describe the strategy to obtain support
and collaboration on SBTRC activities from DOT grantees and recipients, transportation prime contractors and subcontractors, the SBA, U.S. Department of Commerce’s Minority Business Development Centers (MBDCs), Service Corps of Retired Executives (SCORE), Procurement Technical Assistance Centers (PTACs), Small Business Development Centers (SBDCs), State DOTs, and State highway supportive services

contractors.

• Describe the outreach strategy related to the identified needs that can be successfully carried out within the period of this agreement and a plan for involving the Planning Committee in the execution of that strategy.

6. Organizational Capability

• Describe recent and relevant past successful performance in addressing the needs of small businesses, particularly with respect to transportation-related small
businesses.

• Describe internal technical, financial management, and administrative resources.

• Propose a plan for sufficient matching
alternative financial resources to fund the general and administrative costs of the

SBTRC.

7. Staff Capability and Experience

• List proposed key personnel, their salaries and proposed fringe benefit factors.

• Describe the education, qualifications and relevant experience of key personnel.
Attach detailed resumes.

• Proposed staffing plan. Describe how personnel are to be organized for the program and how they will be used to accomplish program objectives. Outline staff responsibilities, accountability and a schedule for conducting program tasks.

8. Cost Proposal

• Outline the total proposed cost of establishing and administering the SBTRC in the applicant’s geographical region for a 12 month period, inclusive of costs funded through alternative matching resources. Clearly identify the portion of the costs funded by OSDBU.

• Provide a brief narrative linking the cost proposal to the proposed strategy.

9. Proof of Tax Exempt Status

10. Assurances Signature Form

Complete the attached Standard Form

424B ASSURANCES—NONCONSTRUCTION PROGRAMS.


### 26690 Federal Register / Vol. 78, No. 88 / Tuesday, May 7, 2013 / Notices

11. Certification Signature Forms

Complete form DOTF2307–1 Drug-Free Workplace Act Certification and Form DOTF2308–1 Certification Regarding Lobbying for Contracts, Grants, Loans, and Cooperative Agreements.
Signed Conflict of Interest Statements

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

12. Standard Form 424

Complete Standard Form 424 Application
for Federal Assistance.

Note: All forms can be downloaded from U.S. Department of Transportation Web site

at http://www.dot.gov/gsearch/424%2Bform

.

Issued in Washington, DC, on April 24,

2013.
Brandon Neal, Director, Office of Small and Disadvantaged Business Utilization, Office of the Secretary, U.S. Department of Transportation.

[FR Doc. 2013–10780 Filed 5–6–13; 8:45 am]

**BILLING CODE 4910–9X–P**

**DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION**

**Federal Highway Administration**

**Notice To Rescind Notice of Intent To Prepare an Environmental Impact**  **Statement: Loop 1604 From I–35 to US 90, Bexar County, TX** 

**AGENCY :**  Federal Highway Administration, DOT.

**ACTION :**  Rescind notice of intent to prepare an Environmental Impact

Statement.

**SUMMARY :**  The Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), in cooperation with the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) and the Alamo Regional Mobility Authority (RMA), is issuing this notice to advise the public that the Notice of Intent (NOI) to prepare an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for the proposed improvements to Loop 1604 from I–35
to US 90 is rescinded. The NOI was originally published in the Federal Register on July 31, 2009 (Volume 74, No. 146, Page 38260) and an amended NOI was published on April 13, 2010 (Volume 75, No. 70, Page 18941) changing the limits of the project.

**FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT :**  Mr. Salvador Deocampo, District Engineer, District A, Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), Texas Division, 300 East 8th Street, Rm. 826, Austin, Texas 78701, Telephone 512–

536–5950. **SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION :**  FHWA in cooperation with TxDOT and the Alamo RMA issued a NOI on July 31, 2009, advising the public that they would be preparing an EIS for transportation improvements to Loop 1604 from FM 1957 to I–35 North, a distance of 32.35 miles. FHWA, TxDOT and Alamo RMA
then issued an amended NOI to advise the pubic of changes to the aforementioned EIS for proposed Loop 1604 improvements. Specifically, the southwestern limit of the proposed improvements changed from FM 1957 to
US 90 for a total distance of approximately 37 miles. The change to the limits of the proposed improvements was consistent with the San Antonio-Bexar County Metropolitan Planning Organization’s (MPO) Mobility 2035 Plan (December 2009) and was done as part of a response to comments received during the first scoping meetings held in October 2009.

Since then, changes in the MPO’s Mobility 2035 Plan and detailed analysis of the corridor have led to a decision to significantly change the design concept and scope of the proposed project and implementation. It is anticipated the project will be analyzed in two or more independent projects with different scopes and separate environmental documents.

Issued on: April 30, 2013. Salvador Deocampo,
District Engineer.

[FR Doc. 2013–10789 Filed 5–6–13; 8:45 am]

**BILLING CODE 4910–22–P**

**DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION**

**Federal Motor Carrier Safety**
**Administration**

**[Docket No. FMCSA–2007–28043]**

**Hours of Service (HOS) of Drivers; Application for Renewal and**  **Expansion of American Pyrotechnics Association (APA) Exemption From the**  **14-Hour Rule During Independence Day Celebrations** 

**AGENCY :**  Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), DOT.

**ACTION :**  Notice of application for renewal and expansion of exemption; request for comments.

**SUMMARY :**  The American Pyrotechnics Association (APA) has requested a renewal of its exemption for 48 APA member-companies from FMCSA’s regulation that drivers of commercial motor vehicles (CMVs) may not drive after the 14th hour after coming on duty, and the expansion of its exemption to 10 additional carriers. The APA was previously granted an exemption for 48 of the 58 APA member-companies during the Independence Day periods in
2011 and 2012. Like the other 48 member-companies that operated under the 2011–2012 exemption, the 10 additional member-companies would be subject to all of the terms and conditions of the exemption for the 2013–2014 periods. The exemption would apply solely to the operation of CMVs by these 58 APA-member companies in conjunction with staging fireworks shows celebrating Independence Day during the periods June 28–July 8, 2013, and June 28–July 8, 2014, inclusive. During these two periods, approximately 3,200 CMVs and drivers employed by these APA member-companies would be allowed to exclude off-duty and sleeper-berth time of any length from the calculation of the 14-hour driving window. These drivers
would not be allowed to drive afteraccumulating a total of 14 hours of onduty time, following 10 consecutive hours off duty, and would continue to be subject to the 11-hour driving time limit, and the 60- and 70-hour on-duty
limits. The APA maintains that the
terms and conditions of the limited exemption would ensure a level of safety equivalent to, or greater than, the level of safety achieved without the exemption.

**DATES :**  If granted, this exemption would be effective during the periods of June 28, 2013, through July 8, 2013, inclusive, and June 28, 2014, through July 8, 2014, inclusive. The exemption would expire on July 8, 2014 at 11:59 p.m. Comments must be received on or before June 6, 2013.

**ADDRESSES :**  You may submit comments identified by Federal Docket Management System Number FMCSA– 2007–28043 by any of the following
methods:

• Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to www.regulations.gov. In the ENTER
KEYWORD OR ID box enter FMCSA–
2007–28043 and click on the tab labeled SEARCH. On the ensuing page, click on any tab labeled SUBMIT A COMMENT on the extreme right of the page and a page should open that is titled ‘‘Submit a Comment.’’ You may identify yourself under section 1, ENTER INFORMATION, or you may skip section 1 and remain anonymous. You enter your comments in section 2, TYPE COMMENT & UPLOAD FILE. When you are ready to submit your comments,
click on the tab labeled SUBMIT. Your
comment is then submitted to the docket; and you will receive a tracking
number.