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NOTICE OF FUNDING OPPORTUNITY

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

• Federal Agency Name: Economic Development Administration (EDA or the Agency), 

U.S. Department of Commerce (DOC).

• Federal Funding Opportunity Title: FY 2023 Distressed Area Recompete Pilot Program Phase 1 

Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) (Recompete Pilot Phase 1 NOFO).

• Announcement Type and Date: Recompete Pilot Program Phase 1 NOFO publishing EDA’s 

application submission requirements and application review procedures under the Distressed Area 

Recompete Pilot Program (Recompete Pilot Program), as authorized by section 29 of the StevensonWydler Technology Innovation Act of 1980, as amended (15 U.S.C. § 3722b). Effective date: June 29, 

2023.

• Funding Opportunity Number: EDA-RECOMPETEPHASE1-2023

• Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance (CFDA) Number: 11.040, Distressed Area Recompete Pilot 

Program

• Dates: This is a two-phase competition. The deadline for Phase 1 applications is 11:59 p.m. Eastern 

Time on October 5, 2023. Applications received after this deadline will not be reviewed or 

considered. Only those that receive approval for a Recompete Plan in Phase 1 will be permitted to 

apply to Phase 2, as Finalists of the Recompete Pilot Program. It is anticipated that the Notice of 

Funding Opportunity for Phase 2 will be made available in winter 2023. 

EDA may amend, cancel, or withdraw the Recompete Pilot Program Phase 1 NOFO at any time. All 

changes will be communicated via Grants.gov.

• Eligible Applicants: Pursuant to section 29(c) of the Stevenson-Wydler Technology Innovation Act of 

1980 (15 U.S.C. § 3722b(j)(2) and (j)(7)), eligible applicants under this NOFO include: (i) a unit of local 

government; (ii) the District of Columbia; (iii) a territory of the United States; (iv) a Tribal 

government; (v) political subdivisions of a State or other entity, including a special-purpose entity 

engaged in economic development activities; (vi) a public entity or nonprofit organization, acting in 

cooperation with the officials of a political subdivision of a State or other entity described in (v); (vii) 

an economic development district; and (viii) a coalition of any of the above entities that serve or are 

contained within an eligible geographic area. See section A.1.c. of this NOFO for a description of 

eligible geographic areas. 

Individuals and for-profit entities are not eligible for funding under this NOFO.

• Funding Opportunity Description: Subject to the availability of funds, awards made under this 

NOFO will seek to alleviate persistent economic distress and support long-term comprehensive 

economic development and job creation, in places with a high prime-age (25 to 54 years) 

employment gap. 
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FULL ANNOUNCEMENT TEXT

FY 2023 EDA Distressed Area Recompete Pilot Phase 1

Notice of Funding Opportunity

A. Program Description............................................................................................................................... 4

1. Competition Structure and Program Information............................................................................... 4

a. Goal of the Competition ................................................................................................................... 4

b. Competition Structure ...................................................................................................................... 5

c. General Requirements ...................................................................................................................... 6

d. Strategy Development Grants ....................................................................................................... 10

e. Recompete Plan Approval .............................................................................................................. 11

f. Implementation Grants .................................................................................................................... 13

2. Statutory Authorities for EDA’s Recompete Pilot Program............................................................... 16

B. Federal Award Information .................................................................................................................. 16

1. What Funding Is Available Under this Announcement?.................................................................... 16

2. What Type of Funding Instrument Will Be Used to Make Awards? How Long Will a Project’s Period 

of Performance Be? .......................................................................................................................... 17

C. Eligibility Information ........................................................................................................................... 17

1. Eligible Applicants.............................................................................................................................. 17

2. EDA Investment Rate......................................................................................................................... 18

D. Application and Submission Information ............................................................................................. 18

1. Obtaining an Application and Electronic Submission through EDGE ................................................ 18

2. Content and Form of Applications..................................................................................................... 19

3. Submission Dates and Times............................................................................................................. 23

4. Intergovernmental Review ................................................................................................................ 23

5. Funding Restrictions.......................................................................................................................... 23

6. Other Submission Requirements....................................................................................................... 24

7. EDGE Systems Issues ......................................................................................................................... 24

E. Application Review Information........................................................................................................... 24

1. Criteria, Review, and Selection Process............................................................................................. 25

2. Grants Officer’s Decision ................................................................................................................... 27

3. Review of Responsibility/Qualification Information in SAM.gov ...................................................... 27

F. Federal Award Administration Information ......................................................................................... 28

1. Federal Award Notice ........................................................................................................................ 28

2. Administrative and National Policy Requirements............................................................................ 28

3. Reporting ........................................................................................................................................... 29
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G. Federal Awarding Agency Contact........................................................................................................ 29

H. Other Information ................................................................................................................................ 30

1. Right to Use Information ................................................................................................................... 30

2. Freedom of Information Act Disclosure ............................................................................................ 30

3. Notice of Government-Wide Procurement Restriction..................................................................... 30

4. Past Performance and Non-Compliance with Award Provisions....................................................... 31

5. Certifications Required by Annual Appropriations Acts for Corporations and for Awards over $5 

Million............................................................................................................................................... 31

6. EDA’s Non-Relocation Policy ............................................................................................................. 31

7. NOFO Changes Communicated on Grants.gov.................................................................................. 32

8. Disclosure of Information .................................................................................................................. 32

9. Audit Requirements........................................................................................................................... 32

10. Fraud Awareness Training ................................................................................................................. 32

11. Office of Inspector General Rights and Responsibilities.................................................................... 33
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A. Program Description 

1. Competition Structure and Program Information

a. Goal of the Competition

The Distressed Area Recompete Pilot Program (Recompete Pilot Program) aims to alleviate persistent 

economic distress and support long-term, comprehensive economic development and job creation in 

places with a high prime-age (25 to 54 years) employment gap. The program uses prime-age 

employment gap (PAEG) as an indicator of economic distress because it accounts for prime-age workers 

who have stopped looking for jobs and left the labor force, not just those who are currently 

unemployed. In the execution of this goal, EDA will seek to invest in programs and organizations that 

have a clear understanding of local conditions and pathways to create and connect people with good 

jobs while ensuring the program’s benefits are shared equitably and across diverse geographies. EDA’s 

longstanding mission is to ensure that all communities have a path to economic prosperity, and through 

the pilot program EDA will support communities with high prime-age employment gaps through flexible, 

bottom-up strategy and implementation grants that tackle the unique challenges these communities 

face.
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b. Competition Structure

The Recompete Pilot Program will invest in 

distressed communities to create, and connect 

workers to, good jobs 1

in places that need them 

most. The program specifically targets distressed 

communities to spur a new chapter of 

opportunity in those areas. This includes, but is 

not limited to, areas where prominent industries 

have declined or disappeared, that were 

physically separated by highway construction, or 

that have endured decades of disinvestment. 

They may be urban, suburban, or rural, but they 

have low labor force participation rates that are 

holding back prosperity. 

EDA will run this competition in two phases 

through two separate Notices of Funding 

Opportunity (NOFOs). In this Phase 1 NOFO, EDA 

will fund Strategy Development Grants and will 

approve Recompete Plans for certain regions. 

Applicants to this Phase 1 NOFO must choose 

whether they are pursuing a Strategy 

Development Grant, approval of a Recompete Pla

n, or both. Strategy Development Grants are 

funded and are discussed in greater detail below 

in section A.1.c. Recompete Plan approval, on the 

other hand, is unfunded, but is a prerequisite to 

applying to the Phase 2 NOFO. Under the Phase 2 

NOFO EDA will award Implementation funding. 

Thus, if an applicant would like to compete for Implementation funding under the upcoming Phase 2 

NOFO, it should at minimum apply for Recompete Plan approval under this Phase 1 NOFO (the 

applicant can also apply for a Strategy Development Grant if it so chooses). Recompete Plan approval is 

discussed in more detail below in section A.1.d.

In a future Phase 2 NOFO, applicants with approved Recompete Plans will compete for funding for 

Implementation projects. Phase 2 Implementation funding is discussed in greater detail below in section 

A.1.e.

EDA will provide technical assistance during the period between Phase 1 announcements and the Phase 

2 application deadline to all applicants who receive Strategy Development Grants and/or whose

Recompete Plans are approved. Building on the model developed in the Build Back Better Regional 

Challenge, as part of the two-phase competition, these applicants will have equal access to experts to 

improve the quality of their Phase 2 applications. 

1 See https://www.dol.gov/general/good-jobs/principles.

How do I know what to apply for?

A Strategy 

Development 

Grant Only

“Our region has relevant ideas, 

leaders, and/or assets, but we need 

to do significantly more 

coordination and planning to be 

ready for Implementation funding. 

We do not wish to apply for 

Implementation funding under the 

upcoming Phase 2 NOFO.”

Recompete 

Plan Approval 

Only

“Our region is ready to apply for 

Implementation funding and does 

not need additional resources to 

put together a strong Phase 2 

application.”

Both Plan 

Approval and

a Strategy 

Development 

Grant

“Our region has an understanding 

of how to address low labor force 

participation and is close to being 

ready to apply for Implementation 

funding. Additional resources would 

strengthen our coordination, 

planning, and Phase 2 application 

development.”

Whether a region chooses to apply for a Strategy 

Development Grant won’t affect EDA’s decisions 

related to Recompete Plan approval in this phase 

or awarding Implementation Grants in the next 

phase—each will be evaluated separately. See 

sections D.2., E.1.a., and E.1.b.
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c. General Requirements

Across both phases of the Recompete Pilot Program competition, several general requirements must be 

addressed in the application materials (see section D.2. below).

i. Why does Prime-Age Employment Gap (PAEG) matter, and how is it calculated?

Based on statute, 2 the Recompete Pilot Program relies on a metric called the prime-age employment 

gap (PAEG) to establish geographic eligibility based on economic distress. Because of this, it is unlike 

EDA programs funded under the Public Works and Economic Development Act of 1964, as amended, 

which use 24-month unemployment rates, per capita income, and special need (e.g., natural disasters) 

to demonstrate eligibility. 

The Recompete Pilot Program uses PAEG as an indicator of persistent economic distress because it 

accounts for prime-age workers who have stopped looking for jobs and left the labor force, not just 

those who are currently unemployed. Whether they stopped looking for work because local job 

opportunities are extremely limited or because they struggle to meet the qualifications, lack reliable 

transportation, need assistance with childcare, or have other reasons, these places require significant 

support for prime-age workers to reengage in the local workforce. Note that in this competition, EDA is 

targeting geographies where a high prime-age employment gap exists because good jobs are not 

available and/or barriers keep people out of the workforce (e.g., supportive services are lacking), not 

places where demographic trends lead to high PAEG (e.g., high numbers of financially secure early 

retirees or people pursuing higher education).

PAEG is determined based on the prime-age employment rate, which is the percentage of the age 25-54 

population that is currently working. PAEG is the difference (expressed as a percentage) between (i) the 

national 5-year average prime-age employment rate; and (ii) the 5-year average prime-age employment 

rate of the eligible area. 3 Five-year data are used to determine PAEG in most cases because rolling 

averages of PAEG provide a more stable, accurate representation of a community’s level of distress over 

time than a snapshot measurement. Specific PAEGs for eligible areas are enumerated in A.1.c.ii. below.

The statute also requires a unique calculation to determine the PAEG for “Tribal lands”. See 15 U.S.C. § 

3722b(j)(9). Unfortunately, some of the required data is unavailable for such areas at this time, a fact 

that was confirmed through formal Tribal Consultation. 4 However, basic unemployment data is available 

that indicates a high likelihood that both Tribal lands have a high PAEG. As such, EDA has determined 

that all Tribal lands are eligible to participate in the program. See section B.1. of this NOFO below for a 

discussion on how the maximum grant rate in Phase 2 will be determined for Tribal lands given the lack 

of data.

The data required to calculate PAEG is also unavailable for some Pacific Ocean Territories. As with Tribal 

lands, basic unemployment data is available that indicates a high likelihood that Pacific Ocean Territories 

have a high PAEG. Thus, EDA has determined that Pacific Ocean Territories are also eligible to participate 

2 15 U.S.C. § 3722b(j)(1).

3 EDA is specifically using 5-year American Community Survey data. 4 The Tribal Consultation was conducted in accordance with Executive Order 13175, “Consultation and 

Coordination with Indian Tribal Governments” (Nov. 6, 2000), the Department of Commerce’s Tribal Consultation 

and Coordination Policy (Apr. 26, 2012), and Presidential Memorandum, “Tribal Consultation and Strengthening 

Nation-to-Nation Relationships” (Jan. 26, 2021). 
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in the program. See section B.1. of this NOFO below for a discussion on how the maximum grant rate in 

Phase 2 will be determined for these areas given the lack of data.

ii. What geographic areas are eligible to participate in the Recompete Pilot Program?

EDA has developed a Recompete Eligibility Mapping Tool (Mapping Tool), a user-friendly map of areas 

that are eligible based on the required data about a region’s PAEG and median household income, 

including all Tribal lands and Pacific Ocean Territories, that can be found here. Applicants generally 

should reference the map in their applications and use either the Eligible/Service Area List Template 

here or submit a screenshot generated by the Mapping Tool as proof of eligibility. If the applicant 

represents a region that the Map does not indicate is eligible, the applicant may submit data showing

eligibility that EDA will verify.

By statute, Recompete Pilot Program investments must be located in one of two eligible area types and 

meet certain PAEG requirements, both of which are represented in the Mapping Tool.

5 The two eligible 

geographic areas are: 

• Local Labor Markets (LLMs): a Metropolitan Statistical Area, a Micropolitan Statistical Area, 

a commuting zone, or Tribal lands. LLMs with a PAEG of at least 2.5% are eligible.

o For the purposes of this competition, all Tribal lands and Pacific Ocean Territories are 

considered eligible LLMs.

• Local Communities (LCs): areas served by a general-purpose unit of local government (e.g., 

county government, municipal government) that is located within but does not cover the 

entire area of an LLM (as defined above) and meets the following criteria:

o It exists within an LLM that does not qualify for Recompete funding; and

o EITHER:

 The entire area served by the unit of local government on average has a PAEG of 

at least 5% and a median annual household income of no more than $75,000; or

 The area served by the unit of local government has five or more contiguous 

Census tracts that each individually have a PAEG of at least 5% and median 

annual household income of no more than $75,000. In this instance, the 

applicant’s service area must be contained within the identified Census tracts.

iii. What entities are eligible to participate in the Recompete Pilot Program?

Eligible applicants under this NOFO include: (i) a unit of local government; (ii) the District of Columbia; 

(iii) a territory of the United States; (iv) a Tribal government; (v) political subdivisions of a State or other 

entity, including a special-purpose entity engaged in economic development activities; (vi) a public 

entity or nonprofit organization, acting in cooperation with the officials of a political subdivision of a 

State or other entity described in (v); (vii) an economic development district; and (viii) a coalition of any 

of the above entities that serve or are contained within an eligible geographic area. Some institutes of 

higher education will also be eligible if they fall within one of the above categories.

5 15 U.S.C. § 3722b(j)(1).
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Applicants must be one of the above eligible entity types and be located within or serve an area 

indicated as eligible on the Mapping Tool (or provide data showing eligibility if the geography is not 

reflected in the Mapping Tool) and be able to represent and act on behalf of the eligible area. 

Pursuant to 15 U.S.C. § 3722b(e)(1), no more than one grant may be awarded to eligible entities within a

single eligible geographic area (i.e., within an LLM, there may be only one grant awarded in each 

Recompete phase). 

iv. Are there any special considerations for coalitions compared to individual applicants?

No specific type of eligible entity is any more or less 

competitive than other types of eligible entities. The 

strongest applicants, however, will demonstrate the ability

to engage broadly in the community and support 

implementation of a wide range of potential targeted 

actions related to reducing their area’s PAEG. EDA expects 

that applicants will collaborate with relevant partners that 

can contribute to the effort. However, EDA is cognizant that 

areas with a high PAEG are diverse, and some may have 

one entity that is clearly well-positioned to lead while other

areas may be better positioned to form a coalition. 

If a coalition decides to apply, it does not need to have a 

formal legal structure (i.e., a contractual arrangement or 

public-private partnership) but should develop a governance plan prior to applying for Phase 2 funding. 

Coalition applicants also must identify a lead member organization that commits to, if selected for Phase 

2 funding:

• be the principal applicant for the Phase 1 Strategy Development Grant and/or Phase 1 

Recompete Plan approval;

• serve as EDA’s main point of contact during the competition and implementation;

• be the employer of the Recompete Plan Coordinator (RPC) (described below) or have an 

established relationship with that employer (note an RPC is required even if the application does 

not involve a coalition; see below);

• serve as the central coordinator across the eligible geography, to convene public, private, 

educational, and civic leaders to facilitate bottom-up, middle-out competitiveness;

• establish and maintain communication between the region and/or coalition and EDA to enable 

and accelerate collaboration and support; and

• ensure funding and other assistance provided by EDA and any other partners are effectively

coordinated and braided within communities.

If a coalition wins a Phase 2 Implementation award, the lead member organization will have additional 

duties related to the ongoing governance structure of the collection of implementation projects funded 

to ensure they remain cohesive and coordinated. Governance in this context means ensuring that the 

coalition is communicating and coordinating activities and outcomes. The lead member may also receive 

funding for specific implementation project(s) in Phase 2. These details will be further addressed in the 

forthcoming Phase 2 NOFO.

Are EDA Good Jobs Challenge (GJC) and 

Build Back Better Regional Challenge

(BBBRC) Finalists and Winners eligible to 

participate in the Recompete Pilot

Program?

Yes, provided they meet the other 

eligibility criteria for the Recompete Pilot

Program and, if they are applying for 

funding, are only seeking funding for a 

scope of work separate from what was 

funded under GJC or BBBRC.
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Regardless of whether an application represents a coalition or single organization, EDA fully anticipates 

partnerships between applicants, businesses, institutions of higher education, labor unions and 

federations, non-profits and other regional organizations. In Phase 2, lead organizations should be 

prepared to articulate how those partnerships are structured and governed, whether formally or 

informally.

v. What is required in letters of support?

Whether an individual entity or a coalition applies, EDA expects letters of support from regional 

organizations necessary for success—specifically, targeted employers, labor unions, education and 

training systems, philanthropy, and nonprofit organizations that can support wraparound services 

e.g., child/long-term care, onsite health services, transportation assistance) and other needs. An 

exhaustive list of all relevant organizations is not necessary to win a Strategy Development Grant or 

receive approval of a Recompete Plan. The primary focus in Phase 1 is for applicants to demonstrate 

they understand local needs and assets and have a clear sense of the relevant stakeholders necessary 

for success. EDA considers quality of letters more than sheer volume. EDA expects the number of

commitment-making partners to expand and the commitments to become more specific in Phase 2, 

including applying for and executing an individual component project or making hiring, match funding, 

co-investment, or policy change commitments for the overall benefit of the community.

EDA also expects that if a region applies as a coalition, that the regional partners will evolve and views it 

as a success if more members join or the membership is refined to reflect the exact parameters of the 

Phase 1 Strategy Development grant or Phase 2 Implementation Grant.

vi. How will EDA ensure applicants serve the eligible geography?

Because the Recompete Pilot Program endeavors to assist distressed areas, applicants need to 

demonstrate that they can adequately represent the eligible area and deliver the solutions proposed in 

any Recompete Plan. 

Thus, applicants, including lead members of a coalition, must demonstrate they are authorized to 

represent and act on behalf of the eligible geographic area, as described at 15 U.S.C. § 3722b(j)(2). While 

applicants may be located outside of the eligible geography, they must clearly articulate why they are 

uniquely positioned to serve the region and that they are serving with the support of the eligible area 

and have the capacity and leadership to meaningfully increase prime-age employment over the duration 

of the grant.

Whether an applicant represents a small or large eligible area as represented on the Mapping Tool, it

should consider the service area of the investments—that is, the people, and particular areas, that stand 

to benefit from the Recompete Pilot Program. As part of their application, applicants should identify 

their chosen service area. The service area may be all or any subset of the eligible area. Some proposals 

may specifically focus on certain neighborhoods or communities to have the highest impact. Applicants 

may decide concentrating investments is a better strategy than distributing the benefits evenly across 

the eligible geography. In any case, EDA will prioritize those applications that focus on interventions that 

aim to significantly increase prime-age labor market employment and wages.

vii. What is the role of the Recompete Plan Coordinator (RPC)?

EDA believes local champions and change agents are essential and investments are only successful with 

the right leadership, including leadership that reflects the diverse populations they serve. The RPC role is 
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meant to coordinate across relevant entities and help ensure a successful implementation of Recompete 

Plans. The specific obligations of the role may vary based on regional assets and needs. EDA encourages

applicants to identify strong, diverse talent and place that person in a leadership role to catalyze strong, 

lasting partnerships across the area, including with the private and public sectors such as other federal 

partners, and philanthropic supporters. Throughout Phase 2 the RPC and other leadership positions will 

be critical to success. While not all applicants will have an RPC identified in Phase 1, all applicants should 

provide a strategy for identifying the right leadership team for their community. Having an RPC or a plan 

to hire one will be a requirement for Phase 2.

d. Strategy Development Grants

An applicant to the Recompete Pilot Phase 1 NOFO may apply for a Strategy Development Grant, either 

alone or along with a request for approval of a Recompete Plan. Where an applicant applies only for a 

Strategy Development Grant, the grant is intended to facilitate a region in becoming more competitive 

for future approval of a Recompete Plan and thus eventually for Implementation Grants. Some eligible 

entities that are strong candidates for Recompete Plan approval (discussed below in section A.1.d.) may 

not have a compelling case for a Strategy Development Grant.

Strategy Development Grants may fund the following types of activities:

(1) Coordination and execution of an inclusive, locally-defined planning process, across 

jurisdictions and agencies, to develop a comprehensive regional strategy to address high

prime-age employment gaps in the regions (i.e., a PAEG strategy);

(2) Identification and fostering of regional partnerships for developing and implementing a 

comprehensive regional PAEG strategy;

(3) Implementation or updating of assessments to determine regional needs and capabilities;

(4) Development or updating of goals and strategies to implement an existing comprehensive

regional PAEG strategy;

(5) Identification or implementation of planning, local zoning, and other changes

to code, law, or policy necessary to implement a comprehensive regional PAEG strategy; 

(6) Development of plans for promoting broad-based economic growth in a region; 

(7) Hiring of the coalition’s RPC to lead the overall effort and other necessary staff; 

(8) Formation of a workforce development strategy, according to the needs for a skilled and 

diverse technical workforce aligned with the region’s strengths; 

(9) Activities necessary to prepare for strategy implementation, which may include workforce 

development strategies, environmental, and engineering documentation, if applicable; and

(10) For Tribal entities and Pacific Ocean Territories, collection of data on the population of 

individuals ages 25 through 54 to determine PAEG. For Tribal entities this includes collection 

of data related to such individuals residing on and off Tribal land consistent with the 

information requested in 15 U.S.C. § 3722b(j)(9). 

In the required Project Narrative (see section D.2. below), the applicant must describe the Strategy 

Development and predevelopment activities it proposes to undertake. The Project Narrative should also 

clearly demonstrate the applicant’s deep understanding of the region and its needs, including the 

conditions that led to low employment participation by the region’s prime-age residents; inventory 

existing community or regional assets that are critical to reducing the PAEG; and identify tested 

interventions that address regional needs and leverage regional assets to grow the local economy.
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Note: Matching share is not required in Phase 1 but will be part of the Phase 2 evaluation criteria.

By statute, Strategy Development Grants may not be used as a prerequisite for Implementation Grants. 

e. Recompete Plan Approval

An applicant to the Recompete Pilot Phase 1 NOFO may submit a Recompete Plan for approval. Only 

applicants with an approved Recompete Plan at the conclusion of Phase 1 of the competition (i.e., 

Finalists) will be permitted to apply for Implementation funds under the Recompete Pilot Phase 2 NOFO.

Thus, if an applicant would like to compete for Implementation funding under the upcoming Phase 2 

NOFO, it should apply for Recompete Plan approval under this Phase 1 NOFO.

Recompete Plan approval signifies that the eligible entity has a multi-year plan for reducing the PAEG of 

the eligible area with a strong probability of success. EDA’s evaluation of a region’s plan is detailed in 

section E.2 and must be addressed in the applicant’s application materials (see section D.2. below).

A competitive Recompete Plan will demonstrate the following six elements:

(1) Understanding of regional conditions and needs – Recompete Plans should reflect a deep

understanding of the region and its needs, including the conditions that led to a high prime-age 

employment gap among the region’s prime-age residents. They should be specific in detailing

the contributing local conditions, employment barriers for different targeted populations, job 

quality, and geographic considerations. Beyond the PAEG, applicants are encouraged to 

provide qualitative and quantitative data that supports the region’s needs, including 

demonstrating persistent economic distress, and justifies potential investments.

(2) Strength of strategy and quality of potential investments – Recompete Plans should clearly 

articulate a strategy to address causes of the local high prime-age employment gap identified in 

element #1 above and the particular geographic locations to be targeted. Applicants should 

outline the investments they anticipate asking EDA to fund through a Phase 2 NOFO that will 

help increase per capita wages and close the prime-age employment gap (EDA expects 

Recompete Plans to include 3-8 Implementation Grant projects that aim to collectively address 

the region’s key inhibitors of prime-age employment participation and low wages), though EDA 

recognizes those may evolve or be refined between Phase 1 and submission of a Phase 2 

application. EDA encourages applicants to draw from proven interventions; local expertise, 

organizations, unions, and companies; and practitioner and research findings. The likelihood of 

success depends on a combination of the strength of the overall strategy (e.g., sources of 

potential economic growth), track record of the applicant, and quality of the identified 

interventions. When describing specific interventions, applicants should include the proposed 

programs and activities, high-level budget estimates (see below regarding a template), and roles 

and responsibilities of the entities that would execute the interventions. EDA expects that 

budgets and project specifics will be refined and shared in greater detail if the Recompete Plan 

is approved and the applicant applies for a Phase 2 Implementation Grant. For Phase 1, a highlevel budget estimate is sufficient; see section D.2. for a template for this budget estimate. 

(3) Equity, inclusivity, accessibility, and diversity – Recompete Plans should articulate how they will 

actively engage underserved communities in planning and ensure benefits are shared equitably 
Page 12 of 33

across all affected populations, including through efforts to reach historically underserved 

populations and areas (whether rural, urban, or suburban), communities of color, women, and 

other groups facing labor force barriers such as people without four-year college degrees. 

Historical commitments to equity, inclusivity, accessibility, and diversity by applicants and their 

identified partners, including any prior related concrete successes, will be relevant. The plan 

should include letters of support from entities that represent underserved communities, 

businesses, and/or workers. As with all letters of support, EDA puts a premium on quality over 

quantity. Successful applicants will align budgets, coalition leadership and governance to their 

equity and diversity priorities. EDA recognizes prioritizing equity means applicants may partner 

with organizations new to federal grants. 

(4) Regional assets – Recompete Plans should inventory existing community or regional assets that

are specific to their geography and critical to reducing the PAEG. This may include industries, 

natural assets, educational institutions (including community colleges and other educational 

institutions, etc.), or other organizations that have the potential to change the regional 

economic dynamics (e.g. unions, workforce entities, community and faith-based organizations, 

etc.). The plans should also identify how new EDA resources along with existing federal, state, or 

other funding options can unlock the potential of these regional assets in ways and/or at a scale 

that previous efforts could not. If assets are industry-specific, applicants should also address the 

degree to which these assets will remain competitive and relevant over time.

(5) Targeted geographic approach – The Recompete Pilot Program is intended to fundamentally 

improve and increase opportunities in persistently distressed communities. The goal of the 

program is to support long-term prosperity of the particular place. Applicants should specifically 

identify their service area within the eligible geography and how the proposed interventions will 

create long-run, sustained benefits to that area. Recompete Plans should lay out a path to 

ensuring residents who are not employed or participating in the labor market have access to 

career pathways, in line with Good Jobs Principles. There are a number of geographicallytargeted approaches to creating good jobs and connecting people to them, including small 

business support, neighborhood programming, and sector-specific training. Applicants should 

have a preliminary articulation of what types of jobs they anticipate either creating or placing 

people into through their Recompete Plan, understanding that EDA will be cognizant of each 

region’s baseline job mix.

(6) Partnerships and potential commitments – Recompete Plans should show how key local, 

regional, and state partners, including underleveraged or underrepresented organizations and 

residents, are engaged or will be engaged, and that they are committed to reducing the PAEG.

Applicants are encouraged to indicate in their application the firms, institutions, state and local 

governments, labor unions or federations, and other local partners who have committed or the 

applicant will ask to commit to creating good jobs, changing policies and practices, and 

otherwise supporting the Recompete effort. There must be strong alignment and a shared 

strategic vision in the region and a plan to leverage local or regional partners’ skills and/or 

constituencies to achieve better project outcomes. In that regard, a history of collaborating and 

achieving concrete successes, including at smaller scales, will be relevant. Recompete Plans 

should demonstrate how other public (including other federal), private-sector, or philanthropic 

dollars may be leveraged to support the effort. Applicants are encouraged to identify how other 

federal programs may assist in meeting ancillary needs including infrastructure, education and 

training, workforce housing, child/long term care, public health challenges (including need for 
Page 13 of 33

additional mental health or addiction care), broadband, and the like, and this may also include 

plans to more effectively coordinate and braid such other sources of funding. Note that EDA will 

be cognizant of the different base levels of funding available in a region. An applicant will not be 

less competitive if there are simply fewer of these resources available to be leveraged. Rather, 

applicants will be more competitive to the extent that they are able to leverage what resources 

are available in a community. 

More specific and concrete partner commitments will be required in Phase 2 (see section A.1.f.i.

for examples). Matching dollars are not required in Phase 1 or Phase 2. Matching dollars will be 

considered in Phase 2 but so will other complementary projects or initiatives that support the 

Recompete goals.

f. Implementation Grants

EDA will award Implementation Grants competitively under the forthcoming Recompete Pilot Phase 2 

NOFO to a subset of eligible entities with Recompete Plans approved under this Recompete Pilot Phase 

1 NOFO (i.e., Finalists). Because Recompete Plans submitted for approval will identify programs and 

activities that would be carried out with Implementation Grants, understanding what EDA may fund 

with Implementation Grants is critical. 

Implementation Grants can fund a wide range of non-construction and construction activities that aim 

to increase regional capacity across the following four broad categories: workforce development;

business and entrepreneur development; infrastructure; and additional planning, predevelopment, or 

technical assistance.

6 The program is designed to provide significant flexibility for applicants to address 

the necessary physical, social, and economic barriers to jobs and career pathways. Given the nature of 

the program, EDA may make investments in areas it historically has not funded. For example, EDA 

understands there may be a suite of necessary interventions to increase employment, job quality, and 

wages, such as wraparound services. However, applicants will need to clearly explain how any requested

EDA investments directly serve the purpose of the program and can clearly demonstrate intended 

economic development results.

This large suite of eligible activities is designed to meet the individual needs and address the causes of 

high PAEG and low wages in a particular place. In each region selected for Implementation Grants, EDA 

expects to fund approximately 3-8 Implementation Grant projects that aim to collectively address the

region’s key inhibitors of prime-age employment participation and low wages at a total funding level 

that depends on the area of eligibility.

The section immediately following this one (section A.1.f.i below) contains illustrative examples of 

possible project ideas for both types of areas. EDA encourages applicants to propose the interventions 

that are best suited for their area, that can achieve measurable outputs and outcomes, and be achieved 

on schedule and within the planned budget. EDA’s goal is to ensure applicants build Recompete Plans 

based on a deep understanding of the specific labor force dynamics of their community.

See section B.1. for expected funding levels. While the amount requested and awarded will depend 

heavily on the types of interventions a particular place needs, efforts to create jobs may require larger 

investments in public assets, and efforts to connect workers to existing jobs may be more programmatic 

6 See 15 U.S.C. § 3722b(c) for a more comprehensive list of allowable activities within these four broad categories.
Page 14 of 33

and thus cost less. Accordingly, it will be critical for applicants in Phase 2 to explain why the requested 

amount is appropriate for the interventions identified as necessary for that region and for the number 

of people expected to be newly employed based on those interventions. 

i. What are some examples of Recompete Pilot Program implementation investments?

EDA expects Implementation Grants will fund two general economic development intervention

approaches: creating new good jobs in the region and connecting people to existing jobs. The specific 

projects that are necessary to accomplish these types of interventions may be different, and below EDA 

has provided illustrative examples of projects for each approach. These illustrative examples are 

intended only as a reference for applicants as they are developing ideas for their Recompete Plans.

Areas where more jobs are needed in general to close the PAEG (and increase career pathways and 

wages) are encouraged to clearly articulate a strategy that reflects labor market conditions, creates new 

quality job opportunities, and demonstrates how those new jobs will go to existing unemployed and 

underserved or non-participating residents. Areas that need to create more good jobs might fund:

• Critical enabling infrastructure (e.g., brownfield redevelopment, workforce training centers near 

workers)

• Anchor institution partnerships (e.g., anchor firms, ports, community colleges, universities, 

hospitals, etc.)

• Economic development capacity and leadership (e.g., governance, etc.)

• Sector-specific support and training for high-demand local sectors and jobs (e.g., a sectoral 

partnership, funding intermediaries to support employers with inclusive workforce 

development, etc.)

• Remote worker training and connection programs (e.g., with employers outside a labor market)

• Wraparound or supportive services (e.g., child/long-term care, onsite health services, 

transportation assistance, as appropriate)

Areas in proximity of good jobs (e.g., neighborhoods, suburbs near employment centers) are 

encouraged to consider how their Recompete Plan connects workers to and keeps them employed at 

existing jobs within the broader labor market through active labor market policies, wraparound services, 

or other needed interventions. An area nearby to existing jobs that needs to connect people to them 

might fund:

• Sector-specific workforce training that reflects the existing employment conditions with 

employer commitments (see below for examples) that bring together employers and workers 

and create economies of scale for high-demand jobs (e.g., a sectoral partnership, Registered 

Apprenticeship and pre-apprenticeship programs, community college programs, funding 

intermediaries to support employers with inclusive workforce development, etc.)

• Consistent and reliable transportation, usually providing access to existing transportation, but 

potentially investing in infrastructure, bus lines, etc.

• Wraparound or supportive services (e.g., child/long-term care, onsite health services, 

transportation assistance, as appropriate)
Page 15 of 33

• Other active labor market support (e.g., community mentorship programs, job search 

assistance, post-placement success coaching, neighborhood employment hubs)

• Economic development capacity and leadership (e.g., governance, etc.)

EDA encourages applicants to propose the interventions that are most applicable to their local 

conditions, whether or not they are on the above lists of illustrative examples.

EDA expects workforce development activities to be in line with DOC’s workforce best practices,

7

support placement into good jobs and incorporate worker input into their design and delivery. For more 

information on the definition of good jobs, please review DOC’s and the Department of Labor’s Good 

Jobs Principles, which describe a shared federal vision for job quality.

ii. What commitments to policy change and outcomes are expected?

EDA’s investments are most effective when combined with local action to change or reform policies, 

practices, and outcomes that make it harder for people to access work. Regardless of whether an 

applicant is connecting workers to jobs or creating new jobs, EDA anticipates all successful Phase 2 

awardees will have credible, specific, and timely commitments to making such changes in their 

communities. While firm hiring commitments are critically important to reducing the PAEG in a region, 

there are many other things firms, state and local governments, foundations, institutions of higher 

education, and others can do to improve local communities. Some of the most important ways a 

community can unlock economic opportunity is for the local public and private sector to operate 

differently and cooperatively. Phase 1 applicants should begin thinking about commitments, though 

fully developed and agreed upon commitments are not expected until Phase 2.

Examples of commitments to policy change and outcomes might include:

• Anchor institutions such as firms, hospitals, and universities work together to develop 

standardized hiring requirements for certain occupations

• Private-sector commitments to recruitment in a particular distressed neighborhood or 

geography

• Eliminating four-year degree requirements for certain occupations and support for 

employers to adopting skills-based recruitment and hiring practices 

• Aligning new investments and programming with existing benefits like SNAP, affordable 

housing programs, and Medicaid

• Data sharing agreements between state and local agencies, as well as local service 

providers, to improve service delivery and support

• New leadership roles hired within public, private, and educational institutions focused 

on economic opportunity within distressed communities

• Procurement decisions to support distressed communities and businesses owned by 

underrepresented populations

• Local transportation agencies removing physical barriers to job opportunities by 

increasing or improving access to and convenience of public transportation

7 See https://www.commerce.gov/issues/workforce-development.
Page 16 of 33

• Other commitments to improving the area and supporting workers, such as increasing 

supply of and providing access to affordable housing and high-quality child/long-term

elder care

Ultimately, the Recompete Pilot Program is meant to allow maximum flexibility for applicants to 

propose the investments and policy changes needed for their community to thrive. EDA encourages 

applicants to be bold and creative in thinking about local commitments to action.

2. Statutory Authorities for EDA’s Recompete Pilot Program

The statutory authority for this program is section 29 of the Stevenson-Wydler Technology Innovation 

Act of 1980 (15 U.S.C. § 3722b). 

B. Federal Award Information

1. What Funding Is Available Under this Announcement?

Across the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2023 and the Disaster Relief Supplemental Appropriations 

Act, 2023 (both enacted in Public Law 117-328), Congress appropriated EDA $200,000,000 to remain 

available until expended to implement the Recompete Pilot Program. 

If an applicant is awarded funding, neither DOC nor EDA is under any obligation to provide any future 

funding in connection with that award or to make any future award(s). Amendments or renewals of an 

award to increase funding or to extend the period of performance are at the sole discretion of DOC and 

EDA.

Publication of this announcement does not obligate DOC or EDA to award any specific grant or 

cooperative agreement or to obligate all or any part of available funds. The granting of any award is 

subject to the availability of funds at the time of award as well as to DOC priorities at the time of award.

Neither DOC nor EDA will be held responsible for application preparation costs.

Applicants to this Phase 1 NOFO must choose whether they are pursuing a Strategy Development Grant, 

approval of a Recompete Plan, or both. EDA anticipates approximately $6,000,000 to $12,000,000 in 

total being awarded in Phase 1 as Strategy Development Grants of between $250,000 and $500,000 

each, and up to $750,000 only in rare circumstances. 

EDA expects to approve at least 20 Recompete Plans. Recompete Plan approval itself does not come 

with any funding although EDA may award a Strategy Development Grant to an applicant that also has 

its Recompete Plan approved. Recompete Plan approval also serves as a prerequisite to participating in 

Phase 2 of the competition and applying to the Phase 2 Implementation NOFO. Thus, if an applicant

would like to apply for Implementation funding under the upcoming Phase 2 NOFO, it should apply for 

Recompete Plan approval under this Phase 1 NOFO. During Phase 2, EDA anticipates funding 4-8

Implementation Grants with grants to Local Labor Markets averaging approximately $50,000,000 and

grants to Local Communities averaging approximately $20,000,000, though amounts for each awardee 

will depend on multiple factors. See sections A.1.e. and A.1.f. of this NOFO for more information on how 

the award amounts may vary depending on the type of intervention (e.g., in general, creating jobs is 

more costly than connecting people to existing jobs). 
Page 17 of 33

Note that the range and averages above will necessarily be less than the maximum amount a region 

could potentially receive if calculated using the formula in 15 U.S.C. § 3722b(f) or (j)(9) because this is a 

pilot program and limited funding is available. Further, in no event in Phase 2 will EDA surpass the 

maximum amount for a region that results from application of the formula in 15 U.S.C. § 3722b(f) or 

(j)(9). This maximum amount applies over the life of the Recompete Pilot Program and is not necessarily 

the amount the entity will receive in the initial Phase 2 competition.

For Tribal areas or Pacific Ocean Territories, due to the data being unavailable at this time, determining 

anticipated grant amounts for Phase 2 is particularly difficult. For those two types of areas, the 

maximum grant amount in Phase 2 will be $20 million (or a lesser amount requested that is appropriate 

to the scale of the proposal) or the result of the formula found in 15 U.S.C. § 3722b(f) for Pacific Ocean 

Territories or the combination of 15 U.S.C. § 3722(f) and (j)(9) for Tribes, provided that the Territory or 

Tribe submits the required top-line data and a certification of its accuracy. 

Depending on demand under this NOFO, EDA may exercise its discretion to adjust the total amount 

available between the Phase 1 and Phase 2 NOFOs to ensure funds are used to maximum effect.

2. What Type of Funding Instrument Will Be Used to Make Awards? How Long Will a Project’s 

Period of Performance Be?

Funding Instrument: Subject to the availability of funds, EDA may award grants or cooperative 

agreements to eligible applicants, but EDA expects most awards to be cooperative agreements. EDA will 

award a cooperative agreement on a case-by-case basis if substantial agency involvement is required. 

For a cooperative agreement, the nature of EDA’s “substantial involvement” (to be included in the terms 

and conditions of the award) will generally be collaboration between EDA and the recipient on the scope 

of work, including administering subawards to other coalition members. However, other possible 

examples of EDA’s “substantial involvement” may include, but are not limited to: (i) authority to halt 

immediately an activity if detailed performance specifications are not met; (ii) stipulation that the 

recipient must meet or adhere to specific procedural requirements before subsequent stages of a 

project may continue; (iii) involvement in recipient’s selection of key personnel; and (iv) operational 

involvement and monitoring during the project to ensure compliance with statutory requirements.

Period of Performance: The period of performance for a given Phase 1 Strategy Development project 

may vary depending on the scope of work. EDA expects that most projects will range from 18 to 36

months. EDA expects that all projects will proceed efficiently and expeditiously.

C. Eligibility Information

1. Eligible Applicants

Eligible applicants under this NOFO include: (i) a unit of local government; (ii) the District of Columbia; 

(iii) a territory of the United States; (iv) a Tribal government; (v) political subdivisions of a State or other 

entity, including a special-purpose entity engaged in economic development activities; (vi) a public 

entity or nonprofit organization, acting in cooperation with the officials of a political subdivision of a 

State or other entity described in (v); (vii) an economic development district; and (viii) a coalition of any 

of the above entities that serve or are contained within an eligible geographic area.
Page 18 of 33

2. EDA Investment Rate

In general, Phase 1 Strategy Development grants, as described in section A.1.c., will be awarded with a

maximum 100% federal grant rate (i.e., no local match required). 

As there is no funding associated with Recompete Plan approval, there is no relevant federal grant rate 

or local matching requirement. 

Matching dollars are not required in Phase 1 or Phase 2. Matching dollars will be considered a 

competitive factor in Phase 2 but so will other complementary projects or initiatives that support the 

Recompete goals.

D. Application and Submission Information

There are separate application requirements depending on whether an applicant is seeking a Strategy 

Development Grant or Recompete Plan approval. An applicant seeking both a Strategy Development 

Grant and Recompete Plan approval must complete both sets of application requirements. No matter 

the element of this Recompete Pilot Phase 1 NOFO an applicant is pursuing (i.e., Strategy Development 

Grant, Recompete Plan approval, or both), an applicant must submit a complete application, as detailed 

in section D.2. of this NOFO, to be considered for funding. However, some content is expected to

overlap between the applications (proposed service area, underlying arguments, etc.) can be repeated 

across both narratives, and identical letters of support, CD-511, and SF-LLL may be submitted for both 

applications. 

Applicants who apply for both a Strategy Development Grant and Recompete Plan approval may receive 

a Strategy Development Grant, Recompete Plan approval, both, or neither because, as explained in 

greater detail in section E, Strategy Development Grant and Recompete Plan applications are evaluated 

separately and against different but complementary merit criteria.

EDA intends to review each application expeditiously upon receipt of the complete application. EDA may 

request additional documentation or information from the applicant to make an eligibility 

determination. EDA also may, in its sole discretion, continue review of any application with minor 

defects or errors, while the applicant supplies the missing information. EDA will reject any 

documentation of eligibility that the agency determines is inaccurate or incomplete, which may cause 

the application to be rejected. Please see section E of this NOFO for more information on award criteria, 

and the review and selection process.

1. Obtaining an Application and Electronic Submission through EDGE

An applicant must obtain, complete, and submit an application electronically through the Economic 

Development Grants Experience (EDGE) at sfgrants.eda.gov. EDA will not accept paper, facsimile, or 

email transmissions of applications except as provided below. In order to obtain and submit an 

application through EDGE, an applicant must register for an EDGE account at sfgrants.eda.gov. As part 

of the registration process, you will register one Authorized Representative for your organization, 

however, multiple points of contact may be registered or added by the applicant to the application 

workspace to view or work on completing the application. The Authorized Representative will be the 

only official with the authority to submit applications.
Page 19 of 33

a. Verification of Submission

Applicants should save and print written proof of an electronic submission made through EDGE.

Applicants, specifically the Authorized Representative submitting the application and materials, will 

receive a time and date stamped email from EDGE confirming the submission and receipt of the 

application and other required documents. 

Applicants should save and print both the confirmation screen provided on EDGE after the applicant 

has submitted an application and the confirmation email sent when the application has been

successfully submitted.

It is the applicant’s responsibility to verify that its submission was timely received and submitted 

successfully through EDGE. To see the date your application was submitted, log on to EDGE and click on 

the Submitted Application section from the Home Page.

If you experience a systems issue with EDGE, see section D.7. below for instructions.

b. Alternatives to Submission through EDGE

To accommodate an applicant’s accessibility requirements, a paper version of this application may be 

obtained by contacting the appropriate POC listed in section G of this NOFO. Or if an applicant is 

otherwise unable to submit an application through EDGE for reasons beyond the control of the 

applicant, EDA, in its sole discretion, may pre-approve in writing submission via an alternate method 

(e.g., email).

2. Content and Form of Applications

a. What is required for a complete Strategy Development Grant application? 8

The following table provides a complete list of documents required for a complete application for a 

Strategy Development Grant. 

(1) One Form SF-424 (Application for Federal Assistance).

(2) Letters of Support Letters evidencing the support of key partners in the execution of the 

Strategy Development Grant. If the applicant is a coalition, there should also be one letter 

from the coalition lead member that lays out that member’s role.

(3) One Project Narrative (not to exceed five 8.5x11-inch pages, with a minimum 12-point 

font and 1-inch margins) that discusses in detail all the requirements outlined in sections 

A.1.c. and A.1.d. of this NOFO, including addressing all the evaluation factors listed in 

section E.1.a. of this NOFO; identifies the relevant eligible geographic area through a 

screenshot from the Mapping Tool (or by providing data showing eligibility if the 

geography is not reflected in the Mapping Tool) and the proposed service area; and the 

uses to which the applicant will put the funds if awarded. An Eligible/Service Area List 

Template is provided at https://www.eda.gov/sites/default/files/2023-

06/Recompete_Eligible-Service_Area_List_Template_vF.xlsx. If more than five pages of 

8 In the event of discrepancies between instructions provided in any of the forms and this NOFO, the requirements 

for complete applications as stated in this NOFO will control.
Page 20 of 33

Project Narrative is submitted, only the first five pages will be reviewed. The Mapping 

Tool screenshot and Eligible/Service Area List Template do not count toward the page 

limit.

(4) One Form SF-424A (Budget Information—Non-Construction Programs).

(5) One Strategy Development Budget Narrative that clearly identifies and justifies how 

funds in each line item of the budget (Form SF-424A) will be used to support the proposed 

project. The Budget Narrative should specifically address each budget line item, and the 

narrative total should match the total project costs listed in both the SF-424 question 18, 

line g, and SF-424A. A template budget narrative is provided at 

https://www.eda.gov/sites/default/files/2023-

06/Recompete_Strategy_Development_Budget_Narrative_vF.xlsx.

(6) One Form CD-511 (Certification Regarding Lobbying).

(7) One Form SF-LLL (Disclosure of Lobbying Activities), if applicable. Form SF-LLL is only 

required if the applicant has reportable lobbying activities.

(8) Indirect Cost Rate Documentation (If Applicable). See section D.2.d. for more information 

on this requirement.

(9) SPOC Documentation (if applicable). See section D.4 for more information on this 

requirement.

All documentation and data submitted should be current and applicable as of the date submitted. 

Applicants are encouraged to contact the appropriate POC for technical assistance before submitting an 

application. EDA staff members are available to provide applicants with technical assistance regarding 

application requirements. Additionally, EDA may contact the applicant to clarify application materials 

received.

b. What is required for consideration of a Recompete Plan?

The following table provides a complete list of documents required for consideration of a Recompete 

Plan for potential approval:

(1) Letters of Support Letters evidencing the support each partner is committing to the 

Recompete effort. If the applicant is a coalition, there should also be one letter from the 

coalition lead member that lays out that member’s role. 

(2) Recompete Plan (not to exceed 8 8.5x11-inch pages, with a minimum 12-point font and 1-

inch margins) that identifies the relevant eligible area through a screenshot from the 

Mapping Tool (or provides data showing eligibility if the geography is not reflected in the 

Mapping Tool) and the proposed service area, and addresses the six key Recompete Plan 

elements described in section A.1.e. of this NOFO. An Eligible/Service Area List Template

is provided at https://www.eda.gov/sites/default/files/2023-06/Recompete_Eligible-
Page 21 of 33

Service_Area_List_Template_vF.xlsx. If more than 8 pages of Project Narrative is 

submitted, only the first 8 pages will be reviewed. The Mapping Tool screenshot and 

Eligible/Service Area List Template do not count toward the page limit.

(3) One High-Level Recompete Plan Budget Narrative that clearly identifies its 3-8 proposed 

projects and high-level budget estimates for each project. A template budget narrative is 

provided at https://www.eda.gov/sites/default/files/2023-06/HighLevel_Recompete_Plan_Budget_Narrative_vF.xlsx. The Budget Narrative helps provide 

some of the information required in element #2 in section A.1.e. of this NOFO (strength of 

strategy and quality of investments) and does not count toward the 8-page limit for the 

Recompete Plan.

(4) One Form CD-511 (Certification Regarding Lobbying).

(5) One Form SF-LLL (Disclosure of Lobbying Activities), if applicable. Form SF-LLL is only 

required if the applicant has reportable lobbying activities.

All documentation and data submitted should be current and applicable as of the date submitted. 

Applicants are encouraged to contact the appropriate POC for technical assistance before submitting an 

application. EDA is available to provide applicants with technical assistance regarding application 

requirements. Additionally, EDA may contact the applicant to clarify application materials received.

c. What do we need to submit if we apply for both a Strategy Development Grant and 

Recompete Plan approval?

Applicants applying for both a Strategy Development Grant and Recompete Plan approval must submit 

two applications. That is, to apply for both a Strategy Development Grant and Recompete Plan 

approval, an eligible entity must submit all materials listed in sections D.2.a. and D.2.b. above (refer to 

the respective section above for a full description of each required document). However, some content 

is expected to overlap between the applications (proposed service area, underlying arguments, etc.) can 

be repeated across both narratives, and identical letters of support, CD-511, and SF-LLL may be 

submitted for both applications.

d. Environmental and Historic Preservation Requirements

Each application will be reviewed by EDA for compliance with the National Environmental Policy Act 

(NEPA) of 1969, as amended. Most planning and technical assistance activities funded under this NOFO 

will not require an environmental impact statement (EIS) or an environmental assessment (EA), as EDA’s 

experience has shown such activities do not significantly affect the quality of the human environment. 

However, EDA will be alert to extraordinary circumstances that would require an EIS or an EA for 

activities funded under this NOFO, and EDA may require an applicant to submit additional information 

related to environmental review.
Page 22 of 33

e. Copy of Negotiated Indirect Cost Rate Agreement (if applicable)

If indirect costs are included in the budget for a Strategy Development Grant application, the applicant 

must include documentation to support the indirect cost rate they are using (unless claiming the 10 

percent de minimis indirect cost rate, discussed below). The applicant must submit a copy of its current, 

approved, and negotiated indirect cost rate agreement (NICRA). The maximum dollar amount of 

allocable indirect costs for which EDA will reimburse a recipient will be the lesser of the (i) line-item 

amount for the federal share of indirect costs contained in the EDA approved budget for the award, or 

(ii) federal share of the total allocable indirect costs of the award based on either (i) the indirect cost 

rate approved by EDA (or applicable cognizant federal agency), provided that the cost rate is current at 

the time the costs were incurred and provided that the rate is approved on or before the award end 

date, or (ii) other acceptable documentation as indicated below.

If the applicant does not have a current or pending NICRA, it may propose indirect costs in its budget; 

however, the applicant must prepare and submit an allocation plan and rate proposal for approval 

within ninety calendar days from the award start date (unless claiming the 10 percent de minimis 

indirect cost rate, discussed below). See 2 C.F.R. part 200 Apps. III, IV, V, VI, VII for guidance. The 

allocation plan and the rate proposal shall be submitted to EDA’s Office of Regional Affairs (or the 

applicable cognizant federal agency). The applicant should include a statement in its Strategy 

Development Budget Narrative that it does not have a current or pending NICRA and will submit an 

allocation plan and rate proposal to EDA or the applicant’s cognizant federal agency for approval.

In accordance with 2 CFR § 200.414(f), an applicant that does not have a current negotiated or 

provisional NICRA, may elect to charge a de minimis rate of 10 percent of modified total direct costs 

(subject to the exceptions of § 200.414(f)). No documentation is required to justify the 10 percent de 

minimis indirect cost rate; however, an applicant electing to charge a de minimis rate of 10 percent 

must include a statement in its Budget Narrative that it does not have a current negotiated (including 

provisional) rate and is electing to charge the de minimis rate.

If the applicant is a state or local unit of government that receives less than $35 million in direct federal 

funding per year it may submit any of the following:

• a NICRA; 

• a Certificate of Indirect Costs from the Department of the Interior (DOI) or EDA (See: 

https://www.eda.gov/sites/default/files/filebase/archives/2021/files/tools/granteeforms/Certificate-of-Indirect-Costs-template.pdf);

• an acknowledgment received from EDA and a Certificate of Indirect Costs in the form prescribed 

at 2 C.F.R. pt. 200, app. VII; or

• a Cost Allocation Plan approved by a federal agency (note that cost allocation plans or indirect 

cost rates approved by state agencies are not acceptable).

f. Unique Entity Identifier (UEI) and System for Award Management (SAM)

Applicants are required to: (i) be registered in SAM; (ii) provide a valid unique entity identifier (UEI) in 

the application; (iii) make certain certifications (see also section H.5 of this NOFO); and (iv) continue to 

maintain an active SAM registration with current information at all times during which they have an 

active federal award, or an application or plan under consideration by a federal awarding agency. EDA 

may not make a federal award to an applicant until the applicant has complied with all applicable UEI 

and SAM requirements and, if an applicant has not fully complied with the requirements by the time 

EDA is ready to make an award, EDA may determine that the applicant is not qualified. Recipients will be 
Page 23 of 33

subject to reporting requirements, as identified in OMB guidance published at 2 C.F.R. parts 25 and 170. 

All subawardees must have a UEI before any subawards are made.

3. Submission Dates and Times

This is a two-phase competition. The deadline for Phase 1 Applications is 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time on 

October 5, 2023. Applications received after this deadline will not be reviewed or considered. Only 

those whose Recompete Plans are approved in Phase 1 will be permitted to apply to Phase 2. It is 

anticipated that the Notice of Funding Opportunity for Phase 2 will be made available in winter 2023.

EDA may amend, cancel, or withdraw the Recompete Pilot Phase 1 NOFO at any time. 

4. Intergovernmental Review

Applications for Strategy Development Grants submitted under this Recompete Pilot Phase 1 NOFO are 

subject to the requirements of Executive Order (EO) 12372, “Intergovernmental Review of Federal 

Programs,” if a State has adopted a process under EO 12372 to review and coordinate proposed Federal 

financial assistance and direct Federal development (commonly referred to as the “single point of 

contact review process”). All applicants must give States and local governments a reasonable 

opportunity to review and comment on the proposed Project, including review and comment from areawide planning organizations in metropolitan areas. To find out more about a State’s process under EO 

12372, applicants may contact their State’s Single Point of Contact (SPOC). Names and addresses of 

some States’ SPOCs are listed on OMB’s website at https://www.whitehouse.gov/wpcontent/uploads/2020/04/SPOC-4-13-20.pdf. 

Based on the applicant’s State, EDA requires the following documentation:

State does not 

participate No documentation required—check SF-424 box 19(c).

State participates; this 

grant program not 

subject to review

Documentation (e.g., a State executive order, a letter from the 

SPOC) showing that this grant program is not subject to review—

provide the documentation as an attachment to the application

and check SF-424 box 19(b).

State participates; this 

grant program subject 

to review

Documentation (e.g., a letter from the SPOC) with comments or 

indicating that this project was not selected for review, or, if the 

comment period has expired or comments were not received, a 

copy of the applicant’s request for comments (e.g., email)—

provide the documentation as an attachment to the application

and check SF-424 box 19(a).

5. Funding Restrictions

EDA may reimburse pre-award project costs under this NOFO but only with advance approval by the 

Grants Officer. Under no circumstances will EDA or DOC be held responsible for application preparation 

expenditures, which are distinguished from pre-award project costs.

It is DOC policy that funds may not be used to pay for management fees in excess of costs or profits, 

unless statutorily authorized. Additionally, the use of project funds to make equity or hybrid 

investments in businesses is not an allowable cost. 
Page 24 of 33

Funds may not be used, directly or indirectly, as an offset for other funds, to support or oppose 

collective bargaining.

6. Other Submission Requirements

After EDA reviews an application, EDA may contact the applicant to request additional documentation 

to clarify or substantiate submitted application materials, depending on the type of project proposed. 

Examples of additional documentation may include, but are not limited to, title verification, 

documentation of the value of in-kind contributions, evidence all funding is available and committed to 

the project, proof of eligibility (e.g., organizational documentation such as articles of incorporation, 

bylaws, and a current certificate of good standing), or documentation required for environmental or 

legal compliance. This additional documentation will be required to ensure that the proposed project 

complies with all applicable rules and regulations prior to EDA’s issuance of an award. EDA will provide 

applicants a reasonable amount of time to provide any additional documentation. Failure to provide 

complete and accurate supporting documentation in a timely manner when requested by EDA may 

result in the denial of an application.

7. EDGE Systems Issues

If you experience a systems issue with EDGE (i.e., a technical problem or glitch with the platform) that 

you believe threatens your ability to complete a submission, please (i) print any error message 

received; (ii) email the help desk at GrantHDSupport@eda.gov; and (iii) contact EDA using the contact 

information in section G. of this Phase 1 NOFO. Please be sure to track your issue using a case number 

given to you by the help desk. Please note that problems with an applicant’s computer system or 

equipment are not considered systems issues. Similarly, an applicant’s failure to, e.g., (i) complete the 

required registration, (ii) ensure that a registered Authorized Representative submits the application, 

or (iii) notice receipt of an email message from EDGE are not considered systems issues. An EDGE issue 

is an issue occurring in connection with the operations of the website itself, such as the temporary loss 

of service due to unexpected volume of traffic or failure of information technology systems, both of 

which are highly unlikely. In the event of a confirmed systems issue, EDA reserves the right to accept 

an application in an alternate format.

Applicants should go to sfgrants.eda.gov and click on the Resources page for assistance in navigating 

EDGE and for a list of useful resources.

E. Application Review Information

Throughout the review and selection process, EDA reserves the right to seek clarification in writing from 

applicants whose application packages are being reviewed. EDA may additionally ask applicants to clarify 

application materials, objectives, and work plans, or modify budgets or other specifics necessary to 

comply with Federal requirements. EDA may also use statistical methods to normalize the scoring. EDA 

will screen submitted materials to verify that all required forms are complete, and all required 

documentation is included. Applications that do not contain all elements listed in section D.2 will not be 

reviewed, with limited exceptions where non-substantive missing information or forms can be supplied 

after original submission.

As discussed further in the sections below, Strategy Development Grants and Recompete Plan Approvals

each have their own review, evaluation, and selection processes. 
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1. Criteria, Review, and Selection Process

a. Strategy Development Grants Review

All complete applications for Strategy Development Grants will undergo a two-step review. First, they 

will be reviewed by at least three individuals and scored against the below criteria. Fifteen points can be 

earned for each competitive factor listed below, with 60 points the maximum total that can be earned.

(1) The extent to which the applicant demonstrates an understanding of the conditions that led 

to high prime-age employment gaps in the region and has a preliminary idea of the assets 

and potential interventions that could address the challenges (15 points);

(2) The proposed activities' potential to prepare the region to identify and implement placebased interventions to increase prime-age employment opportunities, including among 

underserved workers (15 points);

(3) The eligible entity’s organizational and leadership capacity, including its capacity to engage 

necessary local partners inclusively and equitably and garner private-sector, public-sector, 

and philanthropic commitments (15 points); and

(4) The extent to which the project budget is efficient and appropriate to the activities to be 

undertaken (15 points).

EDA will sort the resultant scores into tiers of similarly scored applications, and top tiers will advance to 

a second level review by an investment review committee (IRC) of at least three reviewers who did not 

participate in the initial scoring. The IRC will review the awards collectively using the same criteria listed 

above as well as relevant selection criteria. Based on this group evaluation, the IRC will recommend to 

the Grants Officer which applications to fund and how to apply the selection factors discussed in section 

E.2. below.

b. Recompete Plan Approval Review

All Recompete Plans will undergo a two-step review. First, they will be evaluated by at least three 

reviewers and scored against the below criteria. Points can be earned for each competitive factor listed 

below, with 72 points the maximum total that can be earned:

(1) Understanding of regional conditions and needs (15 points);

(2) Strength of strategy and quality of potential investments (15 points); 

(3) Equity, inclusivity, accessibility, and diversity (15 points);

(4) Regional assets (9 points);

(5) Targeted geographic approach (9 points); and

(6) Partnerships and potential commitments (9 points).

EDA will sort the resultant scores into tiers of similarly scored applications, and top tiers will advance to 

a second level review by an IRC of at least three reviewers who did not participate in the initial scoring. 

The IRC will review the applications collectively using the same criteria listed above and relevant 

selection criteria. Based on this group evaluation, the IRC will recommend a list for the Grants Officer of 

recommended Recompete Plan approvals and how to apply the selection factors discussed in section 

E.2. below. 
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Only applicants with approved Recompete Plans will be permitted to apply for Implementation funding 

under the forthcoming Recompete Pilot NOFO 2. EDA’s final decision on whether to fund a project is 

dependent upon the ability of the applicant to provide sufficient documentation of the project’s 

compliance with applicable rules and regulations.

c. Due Diligence

If an application is recommended for funding and/or approval of a Recompete Plan, the applicant still 

may have to complete certain due diligence requirements and submit additional documents and 

information to allow EDA to fully evaluate compliance with applicable rules and regulations, including 

organizational documentation such as articles of incorporation, bylaws, and a current certificate of good 

standing. If the applicant provides the requested information and supporting documentation in a timely 

fashion and EDA determines the project is fully compliant with applicable rules and regulations, the 

application will be forwarded to the Grants Officer for a final decision. Applicants that do not provide 

the additional information and supporting documentation in a timely fashion or who are deemed not to 

be in compliance with applicable rules and regulations will receive notification their application was not 

successful.

d. Security, Resilience, and Cybersecurity

It is the policy of the United States to strengthen the security and resilience of its critical infrastructure 

against all hazards, including physical and cyber risks, consistent with Presidential Policy Directive 21 -

Critical Infrastructure Security and Resilience 9 and the National Security Memorandum on Improving 

Cybersecurity for Critical Infrastructure Control Systems. 10 Each applicant selected for Federal funding 

under this notice must demonstrate, prior to the signing of the grant agreement, effort to consider and 

address physical and cyber security risks relevant to the type and scale of the project. Projects that have 

not appropriately considered and addressed physical and cyber security and resilience in their planning, 

design, and project oversight, as determined by the Department and the Department of Homeland 

Security, will be required to do so before receiving funds.

Regarding Cybersecurity, applicants must describe measures taken to ensure that practices are 

consistent with current industry best practices for cybersecurity, such as the NIST Cybersecurity 

Framework 11 and Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) Cybersecurity Performance 

Goals (CPGs). 12 These performance goals provide a baseline set of cybersecurity practices broadly 

applicable across critical infrastructure with known risk-reduction value, a benchmark for critical 

infrastructure operators to measure and improve their cybersecurity maturity, and a combination of 

recommended practices for IT and OT owners, including a prioritized set of security practices.

9 Presidential Policy Directive/PPD-21, Critical Infrastructure Security and Resilience (Feb. 12, 2013). 10 National Security Memorandum on Improving Cybersecurity for Critical Infrastructure Control Systems (Jul. 28, 

2021).

11 National Institute of Standards and Technology, Framework for Improving Critical Infrastructure Cybersecurity 

Version 1.1 (Apr. 16, 2018). 12 Cybersecurity & Infrastructure Security Agency, Cross-Sector Cybersecurity Performance Goals, 

https://www.cisa.gov/cross-sector-cybersecurity-performance-goals.
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2. Grants Officer’s Decision

Strategy Development Grant applications recommended for funding and Recompete Plans 

recommended for approval that are also deemed fully compliant with applicable rules and regulations 

will be forwarded for final selection review and approval by the Grants Officer. The Grants Officer will

select a portfolio of Strategy Development Grants to fund and Recompete Plans to approve based on 

the recommendations of the respective IRCs and the selection factors listed below. The final portfolio 

may differ from the recommendations of the respective IRCs to ensure the selection factors below are 

adequately met:

i. The extent to which the application meets the overall objectives of section 29 of StevensonWydler (15 U.S.C. § 3722b); 

ii. The applicant’s performance under previous Federal financial assistance awards, including 

whether the grantee submitted required performance reports and data; 

iii. The availability of program funding; 

iv. The extent to which the application includes a feasible plan that accounts for the specific 

needs of historically underserved areas and populations with a high likelihood that those 

populations will realize an equitable share of the project’s benefits; 

v. The extent to which the project is located in a geography that has experienced persistent 

economic distress; and 

vi. To achieve balance in the portfolio geographically and across community types, underserved 

populations, industry focuses, and proposed interventions for areas experiencing different 

root causes to high unemployment and/or low labor force participation.

The Grants Officer will prepare a final list of recommendations for funding and approved Recompete 

Plans and document the rationale for his or her selections.

3. Review of Responsibility/Qualification Information in SAM.gov

EDA, prior to making a Federal award with a total amount of Federal Share greater than the simplified 

acquisition threshold, is required to review and consider any information about the applicant that is in 

the designated integrity and performance system accessible through SAM (formerly FAPIIS). See 41 

U.S.C. § 2313.

Each applicant, at its option, may review information in the designated integrity and performance 

system accessible through SAM and comment on any information about itself that a Federal awarding 

agency previously entered and is currently in the designated integrity and performance system 

accessible through SAM. EDA will consider any comments by the applicant, in addition to the other 

information in the designated integrity and performance system, in making a judgment about the 

applicant's integrity, business ethics, and record of performance under Federal awards when completing 

the review of risk posed by applicants as described in 2 C.F.R. § 200.206.
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F. Federal Award Administration Information

1. Federal Award Notice

If an applicant successfully and timely completes all due diligence requirements and the application is 

selected for funding, EDA will notify the successful applicant in writing. This notice is not an 

authorization to begin work, however; work should not be undertaken until the award is signed by EDA 

and the applicant’s authorized representative, as discussed below. 

The EDA Grants Officer will issue the award (Notice of Award), which is the authorizing financial 

assistance award document and includes Specific Award Conditions and the DOC Financial Assistance 

Standard Terms and Conditions (DOC ST&Cs), as described in section F.2.b., below.

By accepting the Notice of Award, the applicant agrees to comply with all award provisions. EDA will 

provide the Notice of Award to the applicant’s authorized representative through EDGE. The applicant’s 

authorized representative must review and accept the Notice of Award without modification within 30 

calendar days of the date of receipt.

If an applicant is awarded funding, neither DOC nor EDA is under any obligation to provide any 

additional future funding in connection with that award or to make any future award(s). Amendment or 

renewal of an award to increase funding or to extend the period of performance is at the discretion of 

DOC and EDA. 

EDA will notify unsuccessful applicants in writing to the applicant’s authorized representative. EDA will 

retain unsuccessful applications in accordance with EDA’s record retention schedule. 

2. Administrative and National Policy Requirements

a. Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit Requirements

Recipients of an EDA award will be bound by the Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, 

and Audit Requirements for Federal Awards (Uniform Guidance) as set forth in 2 C.F.R. part 200.

b. DOC Financial Assistance Standard Terms and Conditions 

Recipients of all non-construction EDA awards will be bound by the DOC ST&Cs applicable on the date of 

the award. The DOC ST&Cs may be accessed at the following website: 

http://www.osec.doc.gov/oam/grants_management/policy/default.htm.

Recipients of an EDA construction award will be bound by EDA’s Construction ST&Cs. The Construction 

ST&Cs may be accessed at https://www.eda.gov/grant-resources/find-grant-resources/granteeguidance/construction-awards under the header “Standard Terms and Conditions for RLF and 

Construction Projects.”

Recipients of DOC financial assistance are obligated to comply with Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 

1964, which prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color or national origin, and Section 504 of the 

Rehabilitation Act of 1973, which prohibits discrimination against people with disabilities, in Federally 

assisted programs or activities.

c. DOC Pre- Award Notification Requirements

DOC will apply the Pre-Award Notification Requirements for Grants and Cooperative Agreements 

effective December 26, 2014, 79 Fed. Reg. 78,390. The Pre-Award Notice may be accessed at the 
Page 29 of 33

Government Printing Office (GPO) website at https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/FR-2014-12-

30/pdf/2014-30297.pdf. 

3. Reporting 

a. Report Frequency and Format

All recipients are required to submit financial, performance, and impact reports in accordance with the 

terms and conditions of the grant award, generally no less than semi-annually. All project progress and 

financial reports must be submitted to the applicable EDA program officer in an electronic format to be 

determined at the time of award.

b. Federal Funding Accountability and Transparency Act of 2006

The Federal Funding Accountability and Transparency Act of 2006 includes a requirement for awardees 

of applicable Federal grants to report information about first-tier subawards and executive 

compensation under Federal assistance awards issued in FY 2011 or later. All awardees of applicable 

grants and cooperative agreements are required to report to the Federal Subaward Reporting System 

(FSRS) available at www.FSRS.gov on all subawards over $30,000. See 2 C.F.R. part 170.

c. Performance Reporting and Evaluation

EDA will require additional data on activities, outputs, and outcomes of the funded investment, in part 

to fulfill the requirements of the Government Performance and Results Act (GPRA). EDA anticipates that 

recipients will be expected to track their engagement activities within the scope of work, with project 

beneficiaries, and other project stakeholders. EDA further anticipates recipients will be expected to 

collect data, using surveys of beneficiaries or clients if necessary, on the outputs and outcomes of 

project activities, such as jobs created/retained, private investment attracted, the number of strategic 

plans or economic development tools developed, the number of new business partnerships formed, or 

the range of new capabilities acquired. EDA plans to collect this information using Forms ED-915 (Public 

Works, Economic Adjustment Infrastructure and Revolving Loan Fund Investments), ED-916 (Semiannual Program Outputs Questionnaire for EDA grantees), ED-917 (Annual Capacity Outcomes 

Questionnaire for EDA Grantees serving clients), and ED-918 (Annual Capacity Outcomes Questionnaire 

for EDA Grantees). For more information, please refer to https://www.eda.gov/performance/gpra. EDA 

may also engage with external entities to perform third-party program evaluations, which will require 

cooperation between the grantee, organizations within their service area, and the evaluating 

institution(s).

d. Requirements for Recipients with More than $10 Million in Federal-Wide Funding

As required by appendix XII to 2 C.F.R. part 200, a recipient with more than $10 million in federal-wide 

funding must maintain the currency of information reported to SAM that is made available in the 

designated integrity and performance system (formerly FAPIIS) about civil criminal, or administrative 

proceedings.

G. Federal Awarding Agency Contact

For questions concerning this Recompete Pilot Phase 1 NOFO, or more information about EDA

programs, you may contact Recompete@eda.gov. EDA’s website at http://www.eda.gov provides 

additional information on EDA and its programs.
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H. Other Information

1. Right to Use Information

The applicant acknowledges and understands that information and data contained in applications for 

financial assistance, as well as information and data contained in financial, performance and other 

reports submitted by applicants, may be used by the Department of Commerce in conducting reviews 

and evaluations of its financial assistance programs. For this purpose, applicant information and data 

may be accessed, reviewed, and evaluated by Department of Commerce employees, other Federal 

employees, and also by Federal agents and contractors, and/or by non-Federal personnel, all of whom 

enter into appropriate conflict of interest and confidentiality agreements covering the use of such 

information. As may be provided in the terms and conditions of a specific financial assistance award, 

applicants are expected to support program reviews and evaluations by submitting required financial 

and performance information and data in an accurate and timely manner, and by cooperating with 

Department of Commerce and external program evaluators. In accordance with 2 C.F.R. § 200.303(e), 

applicants are reminded that they must take reasonable measures to safeguard protected personally 

identifiable information and other confidential or sensitive personal or business information created or 

obtained in connection with a Department of Commerce financial assistance award.

2. Freedom of Information Act Disclosure

EDA may publish any applications it receives, including any supporting documentation, on its website or 

through other means. 

In addition, Department of Commerce regulations implementing the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA), 

5 U.S.C. § 552, are found at 15 C.F.R. part 4, Public Information. These regulations set forth rules for the 

Department regarding making requested materials, information, and records publicly available under 

the FOIA. Applications submitted in response to this Notice of Funding Opportunity may be subject to 

requests for release under the Act. In the event that an application contains information or data that the 

applicant deems to be confidential commercial information that should be exempt from disclosure 

under FOIA, that information should be identified, bracketed, and marked as Privileged, Confidential, 

Commercial or Financial Information. In accordance with 15 C.F.R. § 4.9, the Department of Commerce 

will protect from disclosure confidential business information contained in financial assistance 

applications and other documentation provided by applicants to the extent permitted by law.

3. Notice of Government-Wide Procurement Restriction

The general rule for Federal financial assistance is that contractors that develop draft specifications, 

requirements, statements of work, invitations for bids or requests for proposals are prohibited from 

competing for the final procurement. For instance, a professional engineer or architect who prepared 

the Preliminary Engineering Report for an EDA application would be excluded from bidding on the same 

work under the award under 2 C.F.R § 200.319. Under 2 C.F.R. 200.317, only State recipients are 

expressly exempt from this prohibition. Local governments and Indian Tribes may also take advantage of 

the exemption in two narrow circumstances: (i) if they are required (by statute, for example) to follow 

the State’s procurement rules in full and without exception; or (ii) if they are required to follow a 

specific State procurement rule that creates an explicit conflict with the prohibition in 2 C.F.R. § 

200.319(a) (i.e., there is a statute that requires or permits the local government or Indian Tribe to award 

the final procurement to the same contractor that developed the draft specifications). Absent one of 

these two scenarios, the local government or Indian Tribe must comply with the prohibition. Applicants
Page 31 of 33

are encouraged to contact EDA using the contact information in section G. of this Phase 1 NOFO with 

any questions regarding application of this regulation.

4. Past Performance and Non-Compliance with Award Provisions

Unsatisfactory performance under prior Federal awards may result in an application not being 

considered for funding. Failure to comply with any or all of the provisions of an award may have a 

negative impact on future funding by the DOC (or any of its operating units) may be considered grounds 

for any or all of the following actions: (1) establishing an account receivable; (2) withholding payments 

to the recipient under any DOC award(s); (3) changing the method of payment from advance to 

reimbursement only; (4) imposing other specific award conditions; (5) suspending any active DOC 

award(s); and (6) terminating any active DOC award(s).

5. Certifications Required by Annual Appropriations Acts for Corporations and for Awards over 

$5 Million

As discussed in section D.2.d, all applicants are required to be registered in SAM before applying under 

this NOFO. SAM requires registering entities to certify compliance with all limitations imposed by annual 

appropriation acts. For corporations, this certification includes that the corporation: 

(a) Was not convicted of a felony criminal violation under a Federal law within the preceding 24 

months, unless a Federal agency has considered suspension or debarment of the corporation 

and made a determination that this further action is not necessary to protect the interests of 

the Government; and/or 

(b) Does not have any unpaid Federal tax liability that has been assessed, for which all judicial 

and administrative remedies have been exhausted or have lapsed, and that is not being paid in a 

timely manner pursuant to an agreement with the authority responsible for collecting the tax 

liability, unless a Federal agency has considered suspension or debarment of the corporation 

and made a determination that this further action is not necessary to protect the interests of 

the Government.

For financial assistance awards in excess of $5 million, this certification includes that the entity: 

(a) To the best of its knowledge and belief, has filed all Federal tax returns required during the 

three years preceding the certification; 

(b) Has not been convicted of a criminal offense under the Internal Revenue Code of 1986; 

and/or 

(c) Has not been notified, more than 90 days prior to certification, of any unpaid Federal tax 

assessment for which the liability remains unsatisfied, unless the assessment is the subject of an 

installment agreement or offer in compromise that has been approved by the Internal Revenue 

Service and is not in default, or the assessment is the subject of a non-frivolous administrative 

or judicial process.

6. EDA’s Non-Relocation Policy

If an application is selected for award, the recipient will be required to adhere to a specific award 

condition relating to EDA’s non-relocation policy as follows:
Page 32 of 33

In signing this award of financial assistance, Recipient(s) attests that EDA funding is not intended by the 

Recipient to assist its efforts to induce the relocation of existing jobs within the U.S. that are located 

outside of its jurisdiction to within its jurisdiction in competition with other U.S. jurisdictions for those 

same jobs. In the event that EDA determines that its assistance was used for those purposes, EDA 

retains the right to pursue appropriate enforcement action in accord with the Standard Terms and 

Conditions of the Award, including suspension of disbursements and termination of the award for 

convenience or material noncompliance, which may include the establishment of a debt requiring the 

Recipient to reimburse EDA.

For purposes of ensuring that EDA assistance will not be used to merely transfer jobs from one location 

in the United States to another, each applicant must inform EDA of all employers that constitute primary 

beneficiaries of the project assisted by EDA. EDA will consider an employer to be a “primary beneficiary” 

if: (i) the employer is specifically named in the application as benefitting from the project, and the 

applicant estimates that the employer will create or save 100 or more permanent jobs as a result of the 

investment assistance (if the jobs in question were originally located in a smaller community, EDA may 

extend this policy to the relocation of 50 or more jobs); or (ii) the employer is or will be located in an 

EDA-assisted building, port, facility, or industrial, commercial, or business park constructed or improved 

in whole or in part with investment assistance prior to EDA’s final disbursement of funds.

7. NOFO Changes Communicated on Grants.gov 

EDA may make changes or additions to this NOFO. All changes will be communicated on Grants.gov. It is 

recommended that applicants set up a Grants.gov account and subscribe to this funding opportunity in 

order to be notified of any updates or changes. DOC or EDA may cancel, modify, or withdraw this NOFO 

at any time. EDA is not obligated to make any federal award or commitment as a result of this 

announcement.

8. Disclosure of Information

For the purpose of achieving rigorous program evaluations, all applications (including those not selected 

for funding) may be shared with EDA staff, outside parties contracted by EDA for the purposes of 

evaluation, and other federal agencies.

9. Audit Requirements

Single or program-specific audits shall be performed in accordance with the requirements contained in 

the Uniform Guidance (see 2 C.F.R. part 200, Subpart F, “Audit Requirements”).

The Uniform Guidance requires any non-Federal entity (i.e., non-profit organizations, including nonprofit institutions of higher education and hospitals, States, local governments, and Indian Tribes) that 

expends Federal awards of $750,000 or more in the recipient’s fiscal year to conduct a single or 

program-specific audit in accordance with the requirements set out in the OMB Uniform Guidance.

Applicants are reminded that EDA or the DOC’s Office of Inspector General also may conduct an audit of 

an award at any time.

10. Fraud Awareness Training

Consistent with 2 CFR part 200, in signing a financial assistance award, Recipient personnel responsible 

for managing the Recipient’s finances and overseeing any contractors, sub-contractors or sub-grantees, 

will be required to complete the training PowerPoint entitled “Compliance with EDA Program 
Page 33 of 33

Requirements” and return the signed Certificate of Training Completion to EDA as instructed by the 

Agency. Further, Recipient will be required to monitor award activities for common fraud schemes and 

report suspicious activity to EDA and the Office of Inspector General.

11. Office of Inspector General Rights and Responsibilities

The DOC Office of Inspector General (OIG) seeks to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of the 

Department’s programs, including deterring and detecting fraud, waste, abuse and mismanagement. 

The OIG accomplishes this mission primarily through investigations, audits, and inspections of 

Department activities, including grants, cooperative agreements, loans, and contracts.

a. Disclosures

Recipients of financial assistance originating from the U.S. Department of Commerce, including EDA, 

shall timely disclose, in writing, to the OIG and awarding agency, whenever, in connection with the 

award, performance, or closeout of this grant or subaward thereunder, the recipient has credible 

evidence that a principal, employee, agent, or sub-recipient has committed:

(i) A violation of federal criminal law involving fraud, conflict of interest, bribery, or gratuity 

violations found in Title 18 of the United States Code; or

(ii) A violation of the civil False Claims Act (31 U.S.C. §§ 3729-3733).

b. Reporting

The OIG maintains a hotline to receive allegations of fraud, waste, or abuse. To report such allegations, 

please visit https://www.oig.doc.gov/Pages/Hotline.aspx. Upon request, the OIG will take appropriate 

measures to protect the identity of any individual who reports misconduct, as authorized by the 

Inspector General Act of 1978, as amended. Reports to the OIG may also be made anonymously.

c. Whistleblower Protection

Recipients, sub-recipients, and employees working on this grant award will be subject to the 

whistleblower rights and remedies established under 41 U.S.C. § 4712.

An employee of a recipient or sub-recipient may not be discharged, demoted, or otherwise 

discriminated against as a reprisal for disclosing information that the employee reasonably believes is 

evidence of: gross mismanagement of a federal contract or award; a gross waste of federal funds; an 

abuse of authority (i.e., an arbitrary and capricious exercise of authority that is inconsistent with the 

mission of EDA or the U.S. Department of Commerce or the successful performance of a contract or 

grant awarded by EDA or the Department) relating to a federal contract or award; a substantial and 

specific danger to public health or safety; or a violation of a law, rule, or regulation related to a federal 

contract (including the competition for or negotiation of a contract) or grant. 

The recipient or sub-recipient shall inform its employees and contractors, in writing, in the predominant 

language of the workforce or organization, of employee whistleblower rights and protections under 41 

U.S.C. § 4712, as described above and at https://www.oig.doc.gov/Pages/Whistleblower-ProtectionProgram.aspx.