[Federal Register Volume 70, Number 167 (Tuesday, August 30, 2005)]
[Notices]
[Pages 51338-51341]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 05-17233]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

Minority Business Development Agency

[Docket No: 980901228-5228-04]


Solicitation of Applications for the Minority Business 
Opportunity Center (MBOC) Program

AGENCY: Minority Business Development Agency, DOC.

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: In accordance with Executive Order 11625 and 15 U.S.C. 1512, 
the Minority Business Development Agency (MBDA) is soliciting 
competitive applications from organizations to operate Minority 
Business Opportunity Centers (MBOC) (formerly Minority Business 
Opportunity Committees). The Minority Business Opportunity Centers 
through their staff will provide brokering services and assistance to 
MBEs that (a) generate $500,000 or more in annual gross revenues or (b) 
are capable of creating significant employment and long-term economic 
impact (commonly referred to as ``rapid growth-potential MBEs). In 
addition, MBOCs provide access to buyers of goods and services and 
procurement and financing opportunities within the public and private 
sectors. MBOC operators and executive directors should have experience 
in and knowledge of the local minority business sector and established 
working relationships with buying organizations. MBOCs are supported by 
a volunteer advisory committee that assists the MBOC in implementing 
program requirements and providing contract and financing opportunities 
to MBEs. The program is primarily evaluated by MBDA based on the number 
and dollar value of contracts and financial transactions awarded to 
minority business enterprises.

DATES: The closing date for receipt of applications is October 14, 
2005. Completed applications must be received by MBDA no later than 5 
p.m. Eastern Daylight Saving Time at the address below. Applications 
received after the closing date and time will not be considered. 
Anticipated time for processing is one hundred twenty (120) days from 
the date of publication of this notice. MBDA anticipates that awards 
for the MBOC program will be made with a start date of January 1, 2006.

ADDRESSES: If Mailed: If the application is mailed/shipped overnight by 
the applicant or its representative, one (1) signed original plus two 
(2) copies of the application must be submitted. Completed application 
packages must be mailed to: Office of Business Development--MBOC 
Program, Office of Executive Secretariat, HCHB, Room 5063, Minority 
Business Development Agency, U.S. Department of Commerce, 14th Street 
and Constitution Avenue, NW., Washington, DC 20230.
    U.S. Department of Commerce delivery policies for Federal Express, 
UPS, and DHL overnight services require the packages to be sent to the 
address above.
    If Hand-Delivered: If the application is hand-delivered by the 
applicant or his/her representative, one (1) signed original plus two 
(2) copies of the application must be delivered to: U.S. Department of 
Commerce, Minority Business Development Agency, Office of Business 
Development--MBOC Program (extension 1940), HCHB, Room 1874, Entrance 
<greek-i>10, 15th Street, NW., Washington, DC. (Between Pennsylvania 
and Constitution Avenues.)
    U.S. Department of Commerce ``hand-delivery'' policies state that 
Federal Express, UPS, and DHL overnight services submitted to the 
address listed above (Entrance <greek-i>10) cannot be accepted. These 
policies should be taken into consideration when utilizing their 
services. MBDA will not accept applications that are submitted by the 
deadline but rejected due to Departmental hand-delivery policies. The 
applicant must adhere to these policies for its application to be 
considered for award.
    If Filed Electronically: Applicants are encouraged to submit their 
proposal electronically via the Internet and mail or hand-deliver only 
the pages that require original signatures by the closing date and 
time, as stated in this Notice. Applicants may submit their 
applications at http://www.Grants.gov. However, due to technical 
requirements, all sections of the application must be completed in 
order for the system to process the application. Program and Budget 
Narratives must be completed and the following paper forms must be 
submitted in hard copy with original signatures by the closing date and 
time stated in this announcement:
    (1) SF-424, Application for Federal Assistance;
    (2) SF-424B, Assurances--Non-Construction Programs;
    (3) SF-LLL (Rev.7-97) (if applicable), Disclosure of Lobbying 
Activities;
    (4) CD 511, Certification Regarding Lobbying; and
    (5) Form CD-346, Application for Funding Assistance (Name Check 
form).

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For further information, please visit 
MBDA's Minority Business Internet Portal at http://www.mbda.gov. Paper 
applications and Standard Forms may be obtained by contacting the MBDA 
National Enterprise Center (NEC) for the area in which the Applicant is 
located (See Agency Contacts section) or visiting MBDA's Portal at 
http://

[[Page 51339]]

www.mbda.gov. Standard Forms 424, 424A, 424B, and SF-LLL can also be 
obtained at http://www.whitehouse.gov/omb/grants, or http://Grants.gov. 
Forms CD-511, and CD-346 may be obtained at http://www.doc.gov/forms. 
Responsibility for ensuring that applications are complete and received 
BY MBDA on time is the sole responsibility of the Applicant.

Agency Contacts

    1. Office of Business Development, 14th and Constitution Avenues, 
Room 5073, Washington, DC 20230. Contact Stephen Boykin, MBOC Program 
Manager at 202-482-1712.
    2. San Francisco NEC located at 221 Main Street, Suite 1280, San 
Francisco, CA 94105. This NEC (region) covers the states of Alaska, 
Arizona, California, Hawaii, Idaho, Nevada, Oregon and Washington and 
the territory of American Samoa. Contact Linda Marmolejo, NEC Director 
at 415-744-3001.
    3. Dallas NEC is located at 1100 Commerce Street, Suite 7B-23, 
Dallas, TX 75242. This region covers the states of Arkansas, Colorado, 
Louisiana, Montana, New Mexico, North Dakota, Oklahoma, South Dakota, 
Texas, Utah and Wyoming. Contact John Iglehart, NEC Director at 214-
767-8001.
    4. Chicago NEC is located at 55 E. Monroe Street, Suite 1406, 
Chicago, IL 60603. This region covers the states of Illinois, Indiana, 
Iowa, Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, Ohio and 
Wisconsin. Contact Eric Dobyne, NEC Director at 312-353-0182.
    5. Atlanta NEC is located at 401 W. Peachtree St., NW., Suite 1715, 
Atlanta, GA 30308. This Region covers the states of Alabama, Florida, 
Georgia, Kentucky, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, 
Tennessee, and the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands. 
Contact Robert Henderson, NEC Director at 404-730-3313.
    6. New York NEC is located at 26 Federal Plaza, Room 3720, New 
York, NY 10278. This Region covers the states of Connecticut, Delaware, 
Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, 
Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, Virginia, West Virginia and 
Washington, DC. Contact Hayward Davenport, NEC Director at 212-264-
3262.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Electronic Access: The full text of the 
Federal Funding Opportunity (FFO) Announcement for the MBOC Program is 
available at http://www.Grants.gov or by contacting the appropriate 
MBDA representative identified above. The FFO is also available at 
http://www.mbda.gov. The FFO contains a full and complete description 
of the MBOC program requirements. In order to receive proper 
consideration, applicants must comply with all information and 
requirements contained in the FFO.
    Funding Availability: The total award period is two years. MBDA 
anticipates that a total of approximately $1,600,000 will be available 
in each of the calendar years 2006 and 2007 to fund at least one MBOC 
in each of MBDA's five regions. MBDA anticipates funding five (5) to 
nine (9) MBOCs. Funding levels will range from $120,000 to $300,000 per 
year based on the Federal amount for each geographic location below. 
MBDA anticipates that 75 percent of the funding will be allocated to 
key staff, such as the Executive Director and Senior Business 
Development person(s). Applicants must submit project plans and budgets 
for each of the two years. Projects will be funded for no more than one 
year at a time. Awardees will be eligible for one continuation period, 
for a total of two years. Project proposals accepted for funding will 
not compete for funding in the subsequent second budget period. Second 
year funding will depend upon satisfactory performance, availability of 
funds to support continuation of the project, Department of Commerce 
and MBDA priorities, and will be at the sole discretion of MBDA and the 
Department of Commerce.
    MBDA is soliciting competitive applications from organizations to 
operate MBOCs in the geographic areas identified below. The maximum 
Federal Funding Amounts for each location are also shown.

------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                               Federal    Applicant  Federal
             Applicant location                 amount     location   amount
-------------------------------------------------------- --------------------
** 1. Los Angeles, CA......................     $300,000
*** 2. Colorado............................      200,000
** 3. Milwaukee, WI........................      120,000
* 4. Chicago, IL (Except Gary, IN                300,000
 Metropolitan Statistical Division)........
* 5. Detroit, MI...........................      150,000
* 6. Washington, DC,.......................      300,000
*** 7. Florida.............................      200,000
**** 8. Gary, IN...........................      120,000
* 9. San Juan, Puerto Rico.................      200,000
*** 10. Alabama............................     120,000
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* Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA). These areas are defined in OMB
  Bulletin 05-02 at www.whitehouse.gov/omb/bulletins/index.html.
** Countywide.
*** Statewide.
**** Metropolitan Statistical Division. See OMB Bulletin 05-02 for
  definition.

    The MBOC Operator should have an established presence in the 
geographic area(s) identified above. Established presence is defined to 
mean that the applicant has had an office in the location for three (3) 
years preceding the date of this Announcement and has established 
working relationships with buying organizations. Applicants are 
encouraged to propose as large a service area as possible which may 
extend beyond the defined areas noted above.

    Authority: Executive Order 11625 and 15 U.S.C. 1512.

    Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance (CFDA): 11.803 Minority 
Business Opportunity Center Program.
    Eligibility: For-profit entities (including sole-proprietorships, 
partnership, and corporations), and non-profit organizations, state and 
local government entities, federal agencies, American Indian Tribes, 
and educational institutions are eligible to operate MBOCs.
    Program Description: In accordance with Executive Order 11625 and 
15 U.S.C. 1512, the Minority Business Development Agency (MBDA) is 
soliciting competitive applications from organizations to operate 
Minority Business Opportunity Centers (MBOC) (formerly Minority 
Business Opportunity Committees). The Minority Business Opportunity 
Centers through their staff will provide brokering services and 
assistance to MBEs that (a) generate $500,000 or more in annual gross 
revenues or (b) are capable of creating significant employment and 
long-term economic impact (commonly referred to as ``rapid growth-
potential MBEs''). In addition, MBOCs provide access to buyers of goods 
and services and procurement and financing opportunities within the 
public and private sectors. The MBOC program's primary objective is to 
match pre-qualified Minority Business Enterprises (MBEs) with private 
and public sector contracting and financing entities. MBOC operators 
and executive directors should have experience in and knowledge of the 
local minority business sector and demonstrated ability to gain access 
to key decision makers. MBOCs are supported by a volunteer advisory 
committee that assists the MBOC in implementing program requirements 
and providing contract and financing opportunities to MBEs. The program 
is primarily evaluated by MBDA based on the number and dollar value of 
contracts and financial transactions awarded to minority business 
enterprises.
    Match Requirements: Cost sharing of at least 30% is required. Cost 
sharing is the portion of the project cost not borne by the Federal 
Government. Applicants must meet this requirement in (1) cash 
contributions; (2) non-cash applicant contributions; and/or (3) third 
party in-

[[Page 51340]]

kind contributions. Bonus points will be awarded for cost sharing 
exceeding 30 percent that is applied to MBOC staff. Applicants must 
provide a detailed explanation of how the cost-sharing requirement will 
be met.
    While not a program requirement, the MBOC may charge client fees 
for brokering services rendered. Client fees may be used towards 
meeting cost share requirements. Client fees applied directly to the 
award's cost sharing requirement must be used in furtherance of the 
program objectives.
    Selection Procedures: Prior to the formal paneling process, each 
application will receive an initial screening to ensure that all 
required forms, signatures and documentation are present. Each 
application will receive an independent, objective review by a panel 
qualified to evaluate the applications submitted. MBDA anticipates that 
the review panel will be made up of at least three independent 
reviewers who will review all applications based on the below 
evaluation criteria. Each reviewer will evaluate and provide a score 
for each proposal. The National Director of MBDA makes the final 
recommendation to the Department of Commerce Grants Officer regarding 
the funding of applications, taking into account the following 
selection criteria:
    1. The evaluations and rankings of the independent review panel;
    2. The geographic distribution of the MBOCs;
    3. The following funding priorities:
    a. Having an existing client base that can be utilized for 
brokering contract and financial transactions.
    b. Ability to establish an MBOC that has an Industry specific(s) 
focus and that demonstrates the utility of economic clusters including, 
but not limited to, aerospace, manufacturing, construction, financial 
services, IT and /or automotive industries; and
    4. The availability of funding.
    Evaluation Criteria: Proposals will be evaluated and applicants 
will be selected based on the following criteria. An application must 
receive at least 70% of the total points available for each evaluation 
criterion, in order for the application to be considered for funding. 
The Maximum total points that can be earned is 105 including the bonus 
points for staff related non federal cost sharing as described below.

1. Applicant Capability (30 Points)

    The applicant's proposal will be evaluated with respect to the 
applicant's experience and expertise in providing the work requirements 
listed. Specifically, the proposals will be evaluated as follows:
    <bullet> MBE Community--Experience and knowledge of the local 
minority business sector and established working relationships with 
buying organizations. This factor will be evaluated on whether or not 
the applicant has an established presence in the proposed geographic 
service area. Established presence is defined to mean that the 
applicant has had an office in the geographic service area for a 
minimum of three (3) years preceding this announcement and has 
established relationships with buying organizations. (10 points);
    <bullet> Business Acumen--Experience in and knowledge of coaching 
and mentoring techniques related to serving rapid growth-potential 
minority firms (3 points);
    <bullet> Financing--Experience in and knowledge of brokering 
techniques and facilitating large financial transactions (5 points);
    <bullet> Procurements and Contracting--Experience in and knowledge 
of the public and private sector contracting opportunities and gaining 
access to the buyers to facilitate and broker large deals (5 points);
    <bullet> Financing Networks--Knowledge of the resources and 
professional relationships within the corporate, banking and investment 
community that can be beneficial to minority-owned firms (2 points);
    <bullet> Experience and knowledge of particular industries and 
ability to gain access to industry leaders within the geographic 
service area (5 points).

2. Resources (25 Points)

    The applicant's proposal will be evaluated according to the 
following criteria:
    <bullet> Key Staff--Discuss the experience of the staff that will 
operate the MBOC. In particular, an assessment will be made to 
determine whether key staff has the experience in working with high 
level key decision makers as relates to brokering and facilitating 
large dollar contracts and financial transactions, and coaching and 
mentoring. Proposed staff will be assessed to determine if they possess 
the expertise in utilizing information systems (10 points);
    <bullet> Resources--Discuss what resources will be utilized to 
accomplish the work requirements (not included as part of the cost-
sharing arrangement); discuss how you plan to establish and maintain a 
network of resources. Discuss how the Advisory Committee and 
subcommittees will be recruited and what their role will be. Discuss 
how the committees will contribute to the performance measures as 
outlined in the FFO (10 points);
    <bullet> Equipment--Discuss how you plan to accomplish the computer 
hardware and software requirements stated in the FFO (5 points).

3. Techniques and Methodologies (25 Points)

    The applicant's proposal will be evaluated as follows:
    <bullet> Performance Measures--Relate each performance measure to 
the financial, information and market resources available in the 
applicant's defined service area and how the goals will be met. 
Specific attention should be placed on the Dollar Value of Contract 
Awards and Financial Transactions (as described under Definitions in 
the FFO). Minimum goals should be based on the availability of federal 
procurement dollars in the service area. The applicant should also 
consider existing market conditions and its strategy to achieve the 
goal. (10 points);
    <bullet> Plan of Action--Provide specific detail on how the 
applicant will start operations, including how the Advisory Committees 
and Subcommittees will be formed. The plan should include a detailed 
discussion of the nature of the advisory role and how the committee 
will work with Center staff to accomplish program objectives. Program 
Operators have thirty (30) days to become fully operational after an 
award is made. Fully operational means that all staff is hired, all 
signs are up, all items of furniture and equipment are in place and 
operational, all stationery forms are developed and the Center is ready 
to open its doors to the public. Failure to have all staff on board 
within 30 days after award will result in a deduction of 10 points on 
the first semi-annual performance assessment report and may jeopardize 
continuation of the award. (5 points);
    <bullet> Work Requirements Execution Plan--The applicant will be 
evaluated on how it plans to execute the Work Requirements (including 
implementation timelines) and how effectively and efficiently all staff 
will be used. Applicants should include a description for using an 
intra and interstate approach, depending on the geographic service 
area, for accomplishing the work requirements contained in the FFO (5 
points).
    <bullet> Appropriateness of Applicant Defined Service Area--The 
applicant will be evaluated based on the following: the size of the 
minority population and density of MBEs with revenues of $500,000 or 
rapid-growth potential in the applicant's defined service area. The 
presence of significant

[[Page 51341]]

federal and commercial contracting and financing opportunities, the 
size of the market, and the need for MBDA resources in the applicant's 
defined service area should also be discussed. (5 Points)

4. Proposed Budget and Supporting Budget Narrative (20 Points)

    The applicant's proposal will be evaluated on the following sub-
criteria:
    <bullet> Reasonableness, allowability and allocability of costs (5 
points). MBDA anticipates that 75% of the funding level will be 
allocated to key staff, such as the Executive Director and senior 
business development persons.
    <bullet> Proposed cost sharing of 30 percent is required and must 
be documented, including whether client fees for brokering will be 
charged and applied to the cost share. Applicants choosing to charge 
fees should set forth a fee schedule in their proposals (5 points).
    <bullet> Performance-based Budget. Discuss how the budget is 
related to the accomplishment of the work requirements and the 
Performance measures. Provide a budget narrative that clearly shows the 
connections. (10 points)
    <bullet> Non Federal Cost sharing exceeding 30 percent that is 
related to additional staff (5) bonus points).

Intergovernmental Review

    Applications under this program are not subject to Executive Order 
12372, ``Intergovernmental Review of Federal Programs.''

Limitation of Liability

    Applicants are hereby given notice that funds have not yet been 
appropriated for this program. In no event will MBDA or the department 
of Commerce be responsible for proposal preparation costs if this 
program fails to receive funding or is cancelled because of other 
agency priorities. Publication of this announcement does not oblige 
MBDA or the Department of Commerce to award any specific project or to 
obligate any available funds.

Universal Identifier

    Applicant should be aware that they may be required to provide a 
Dun and Bradstreet Data Universal Numbering system (DUNS) number during 
the application process. See the June 27, 2003 (68 FR 38402) Federal 
Register notice for additional information. Organization can receive a 
DUNS number at no cost by calling the dedicated toll-free DUNS Number 
request line at 1-866-705-5711 or on MBDA's Web site at http://www.mbda.gov.

Department of Commerce Pre-Award Notification Requirements for Grants 
and Cooperative Agreements

    The Department of Commerce Pre-Award Notification Requirements for 
Grants and Cooperative Agreements contained in the Federal Register 
notice of December 30, 2004 (69 FR 78389) are applicable to this 
solicitation.

Application Forms and Package

    A completed proposal submitted by mail, hand delivery, or 
electronically consists of the following sections:

    --Program Narrative;
    --Budget and Budget Narrative;
    --Standard Forms 424; 424A; 424B; and SF LLL; and
    --Department of Commerce forms CD-346; and CD-511.

    Failure to include, by the deadline, a signed, original SF-424 with 
the paper application, or separately in conjunction with an 
electronically submitted application, will result in the application 
being rejected and returned to the applicant. Failure to sign and 
submit the remaining forms with the paper application, or separately in 
conjunction with an electronically submitted application, by the 
deadline, will automatically cause an application to lose two (2) 
points in the overall score. MBDA shall not accept any changes, 
additions, revisions or deletions to competitive applications after the 
closing date for receiving applications. MBDA may contact applicants 
for additional clarifications.

Paperwork Reduction Act

    This document contains collection-of-information requirements 
subject to the Paperwork Reduction Act (PRA) the use of standard forms 
424, 424A, 424B, CD 346, and SF-LLL have been approved by OMB under the 
respective control numbers 0348-0043, 0348-0044, 0348-0040, 0605-0001, 
and 0348-0046.
    Notwithstanding any other provisions of law, no person is required 
to respond to, nor shall any person be subject to a penalty for failure 
to comply with a collection of information subject to the Paperwork 
Reduction Act unless that collection displays a currently valid OMB 
control Number.

Executive Order 12866

    This notice has been determined to be not significant for purposes 
of E.O. 12866.

Administrative Procedure Act/ Regulatory Flexibility Act

    Prior notice for an opportunity for public comment are not required 
by the Administrative Procedure Act for rules concerning public 
property, loans, grant, benefits and contracts (5 U.S.C. 533(a)(2)). 
Because notice and opportunity for comment are not required pursuant to 
5 U.S.C. 533 or any other law, the analytical requirements of the 
regulatory flexibility Act (5 U.S.C 601 et seq.) are inapplicable. 
Therefore, a regulatory flexibility analysis is not required and has 
not been prepared.

    Dated: August 26, 2005.
Ronald J. Marin,
Financial Management Officer, Minority Business Development Agency.
[FR Doc. 05-17233 Filed 8-29-05; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-21-U