[Federal Register Volume 81, Number 16 (Tuesday, January 26, 2016)]
[Notices]
[Pages 4258-4264]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2016-01405]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Institute of Standards and Technology

[Docket Number: 150302201-6024-02]


Award Competitions for Hollings Manufacturing Extension 
Partnership (MEP) Centers in the States of Alabama, Arkansas, 
California, Georgia, Louisiana, Massachusetts, Missouri, Montana, Ohio, 
Pennsylvania, Puerto Rico, Utah and Vermont

AGENCY: National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), United 
States Department of Commerce (DoC).

ACTION: Notice of funding availability.

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SUMMARY: NIST invites applications from eligible organizations in 
connection with NIST's funding up to thirteen (13) separate MEP 
cooperative agreements for the operation of an MEP Center in the 
designated States' service areas and in the funding amounts identified 
in the corresponding Federal Funding Opportunity (FFO). NIST 
anticipates awarding one (1) cooperative agreement for each of the 
identified States. The objective of the MEP Center Program is to 
provide manufacturing extension services to primarily small and medium-
sized manufacturers within the States designated in the corresponding 
FFO. The selected organization will become part of the MEP national 
system of extension service providers, currently located throughout the 
United States and Puerto Rico.

DATES: Electronic applications must be received no later than 11:59 
p.m. Eastern Time on April 25, 2016. Paper applications will not be 
accepted. Applications received after the deadline will not be reviewed 
or considered. The approximate start date for awards under this notice 
and the corresponding FFO is expected to be October 1, 2016.
    When developing your submission timeline, please keep in mind that 
(1) all applicants are required to have a current registration in the 
System for Award Management (SAM.gov); (2) the free annual registration 
process in the electronic System for Award Management (SAM.gov) may 
take between three and five business days, or as long as more than two 
weeks; and (3) electronic applicants are required to have a current 
registration in Grants.gov; and (4) applicants will receive a series of 
email messages from Grants.gov over a period of up to two business days 
before learning whether a Federal agency's electronic system has 
received its application. Please note that a federal assistance award 
cannot be issued if the designated recipient's registration in the 
System for Award Management (SAM.gov) is not current at the time of the 
award.

ADDRESSES: Applications must be submitted electronically through 
www.grants.gov. NIST will not accept applications submitted by mail, 
facsimile, or by email.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Administrative, budget, cost-sharing, 
and eligibility questions and other programmatic questions should be 
directed to Diane Henderson at Tel: (301) 975-5105; Email: 
<a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#b6dbd3c6d0d0d9f6d8dfc5c298d1d9c0"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="69040c190f0f062907001a1d470e061f">[email protected]</span></a>; Fax: (301) 963-6556. Grants Rules and Regulation 
questions should be addressed to: Michael Teske, Grants Management 
Division, National Institute of Standards and Technology, 100 Bureau 
Drive, Stop 1650, Gaithersburg, MD 20899-1650; Tel: (301) 975-6358; 
Email: <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#771a1e141f16121b590312041c1237191e040359101801"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="5c31353f343d39307228392f37391c32352f28723b332a">[email protected]</span></a>; Fax: (301) 975-6368. For technical 
assistance with Grants.gov submissions contact Christopher Hunton at 
Tel: (301) 975-5718; Email: <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#771005161903045910180137191e040359101801"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="2c4b5e4d42585f024b435a6c42455f58024b435a">[email protected]</span></a>; Fax: (301) 975-8884. 
Questions submitted to NIST/MEP may be posted as part of an FAQ 
document, which will be periodically updated on the MEP Web site at 
http://nist.gov/mep/ffo-state-competitions-03.cfm.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
    Electronic access: Applicants are strongly encouraged to read the 
corresponding FFO announcement available at www.grants.gov for complete 
information about this program, including all program

[[Page 4259]]

requirements and instructions for applying electronically. Paper 
applications or electronic applications submitted other than through 
www.grants.gov will not be accepted. The FFO may be found by searching 
under the Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance Name and Number 
provided below.

    Authority: 15 U.S.C. 278k, as implemented in 15 CFR part 290.

Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance Name and Number: 
Manufacturing Extension Partnership--11.611.

    Webinar Information Session: NIST/MEP will hold one or more webinar 
information sessions for organizations that are considering applying 
for this funding opportunity. These webinars will provide general 
information regarding MEP and offer general guidance on preparing 
proposals. NIST/MEP staff will be available at the webinars to answer 
general questions. During the webinars, proprietary technical 
discussions about specific project ideas will not be permitted. Also, 
NIST/MEP staff will not critique or provide feedback on any specific 
project ideas during the webinars or at any time before submission of a 
proposal to MEP. However, NIST/MEP staff will provide information about 
the MEP eligibility and cost-sharing requirements, evaluation criteria 
and selection factors, selection process, and the general 
characteristics of a competitive MEP proposal during this webinar. The 
webinars will be held approximately fifteen (15) to thirty (30) 
business days after posting of this notice and the corresponding FFO. 
The exact dates and times of the webinars will be posted on the MEP Web 
site at http://nist.gov/mep/ffo-state-competitions-03.cfm. The webinars 
will be recorded, and a link to the recordings will be posted on the 
MEP Web site. In addition, the webinar presentations will be available 
on the MEP Web site. Organizations wishing to participate in one or 
more of the webinars must register in advance by contacting MEP by 
email at <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#dab7bfaabcbcb59ab4b3a9aef4bdb5ac"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="d8b5bda8bebeb798b6b1abacf6bfb7ae">[email protected]</span></a>. Participation in the webinars is not required 
in order for an organization to submit an application pursuant to this 
notice and the corresponding FFO.
    Program Description: NIST invites applications from eligible 
organizations in connection with NIST's funding up to thirteen (13) 
separate MEP cooperative agreements for the operation of an MEP Center 
in the designated States' service areas and in the funding amounts 
identified in section II.2 of the corresponding FFO. NIST anticipates 
awarding one (1) cooperative agreement for each of the identified 
States. The objective of the MEP Center Program is to provide 
manufacturing extension services to primarily small and medium-sized 
manufacturers within the States designated in the applications. The 
selected organization will become part of the MEP national system of 
extension service providers, located throughout the United States and 
Puerto Rico.
    See the corresponding FFO for further information about the 
Manufacturing Extension Partnership and the MEP National Network.
    The MEP Program is not a Federal research and development program. 
It is not the intent of the program that awardees will perform 
systematic research.
    To learn more about the MEP Program, please go to http://www.nist.gov/mep/.
    Funding Availability: NIST anticipates funding up to thirteen (13) 
MEP Center awards with an initial five-year period of performance in 
accordance with the multi-year funding policy described in section II.3 
of the corresponding FFO. Initial funding for the awards listed below 
and in the corresponding FFO is contingent upon the availability of 
appropriated funds.
    The table below lists the thirteen (13) States identified for 
funding as part of this notice and the corresponding FFO and the 
estimated amount of funding available for each:
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    \1\ The States of Ohio and Utah were included in a prior round 
of MEP Center award competitions (see 80 FR 12451 (March 9, 2015) 
and NIST Funding Opportunity Number 2015-NIST-MEP-01), which did not 
result in an application being selected for funding. As a result, 
NIST is announcing competition for these two States as part of this 
round of MEP Center award competitions.

------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                            Anticipated
                                          annual Federal   Total Federal
    MEP Center location and assigned        funding for    funding for 5
geographical service area (by state) \1\   each year of     year award
                                             the award        period
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Alabama.................................      $1,780,800      $8,904,000
Arkansas................................         971,218       4,856,065
California..............................      14,046,449      70,232,245
Georgia.................................       2,693,482      13,467,410
Louisiana...............................       1,197,546       5,987,730
Massachusetts...........................       2,467,879      12,339,395
Missouri................................       2,207,873      11,039,365
Montana.................................         512,000       2,560,000
Ohio....................................       5,246,822      26,234,110
Pennsylvania............................       5,280,586      26,402,930
Puerto Rico.............................         643,133       3,215,665
Utah....................................       1,147,573       5,737,865
Vermont.................................         500,000       2,500,000
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Applicants may propose annual Federal funding amounts that are 
different from the anticipated annual Federal funding amounts set forth 
in the above table, provided that the total amount of Federal funding 
being requested by an Applicant does not exceed the total amount of 
federal funding for the five-year award period as set forth in the 
above table. For example, if the anticipated annual Federal funding 
amount for an MEP Center is $500,000 and the total Federal funding 
amount for the five-year award period is $2,500,000, an Applicant may 
propose Federal funding amounts greater, less than, or equal to 
$500,000 for any year or years of the award, so long as the total 
amount of Federal funding being requested by the Applicant for the 
entire five-year award period does not exceed $2,500,000.
    Multi-Year Funding Policy. When an application for a multi-year 
award is approved, funding will usually be provided for only the first 
year of the project. Recipients will be required to

[[Page 4260]]

submit detailed budgets and budget narratives prior to the award of any 
continued funding. Continued funding for the remaining years of the 
project will be awarded by NIST on a non-competitive basis, and may be 
adjusted higher or lower from year-to-year of the award, contingent 
upon satisfactory performance, continued relevance to the mission and 
priorities of the program, and the availability of funds. Continuation 
of an award to extend the period of performance and/or to increase or 
decrease funding is at the sole discretion of NIST.
    Potential for Additional 5 Years. Initial awards issued pursuant to 
this notice and the corresponding FFO are expected to be for up to five 
(5) years with the possibility for NIST to renew the award, on a non-
competitive basis, for an additional 5 years at the end of the initial 
award period. The review processes in 15 CFR 290.8 will be used as part 
of the overall assessment of the recipient, consistent with the 
potential long-term nature and purpose of the program. In considering 
renewal for a second five-year, multi-year award term, NIST will 
evaluate the results of the annual reviews and the results of the 3rd 
Year peer-based Panel Review findings and recommendations as set forth 
in 15 CFR 290.8, as well as the Center's progress in addressing 
findings and recommendations made during the various reviews. The full 
process is expected to include programmatic, policy, financial, 
administrative, and responsibility assessments, and the availability of 
funds, consistent with Department of Commerce and NIST policies and 
procedures in effect at that time.

Kick-Off Conferences

    Each recipient will be required to attend a kick-off conference, 
which will be held within 30 days post start date of award, to help 
ensure that the MEP Center operator has a clear understanding of the 
program and its components. The kick-off conference will take place at 
NIST/MEP headquarters in Gaithersburg, MD, during which time NIST will: 
(1) Orient MEP Center key personnel to the MEP program; (2) explain 
program and financial reporting requirements and procedures; (3) 
identify available resources that can enhance the capabilities of the 
MEP Center; and (4) negotiate and develop a detailed three-year 
operating plan with the recipient. NIST/MEP anticipates an additional 
set of site visits at the MEP Center and/or telephonic meetings with 
the recipient to finalize the three-year operating plan.
    The kick-off conference will take up to approximately 3 days and 
must be attended by the MEP Center Director, along with up to two 
additional MEP Center employees. Applicants must include travel and 
related costs for the kick-off conference as part of the budget for 
year one (1), and these costs should be reflected in the SF-424A form. 
(See section IV.2.a(2) of the corresponding FFO). These costs must also 
be reflected in the budget table and budget narrative for year 1, which 
is submitted as part of the budget tables and budget narratives section 
of the Technical Proposal. (See section IV.2.a(6)(e) of the 
corresponding FFO.) Representatives from key subrecipients and other 
key strategic partners may attend the kick-off conference with the 
prior written approval of the Grants Officer. Applicants proposing to 
have key subrecipients and/or other key strategic partners attend the 
kick-off conference should clearly indicate so as part of the budget 
narrative for year one of the project.

MEP System-Wide Meetings

    NIST/MEP typically organizes system-wide meetings approximately 
four times a year in an effort to share best practices, new and 
emerging trends, and additional topics of interest. These meetings are 
rotated throughout the United States and typically involve 3-4 days of 
resource time and associated travel costs for each meeting. The MEP 
Center Director must attend these meetings, along with up to two 
additional MEP Center employees.
    Applicants must include travel and related costs for four quarterly 
MEP system-wide meetings in each of the five (5) project years (4 
meetings per year; 20 total meetings over five-year award period). 
These costs must be reflected in the SF-424A form (see section 
IV.2.a(2).of the corresponding FFO). These costs must also be reflected 
in the budget tables and budget narratives for each of the project's 
five (5) years, which are submitted in the budget tables and budget 
narratives section of the Technical Proposal. (See section IV.2.a(6)(e) 
of the corresponding FFO).
    Cost Share or Matching Requirement: Non-Federal cost sharing of at 
least 50 percent of the total project costs is required for each of the 
first through the third year of the award, with an increasing minimum 
non-federal cost share contribution beginning in year 4 of the award as 
follows:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                             Minimum non-
                  Award year                      Maximum      Federal
                                                 NIST share     share
------------------------------------------------------------------------
1-3...........................................        \1/2\        \1/2\
4.............................................        \2/5\        \3/5\
5 and beyond..................................        \1/3\        \2/3\
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Non-Federal cost sharing is that portion of the project costs not 
borne by the Federal Government. The applicant's share of the MEP 
Center expenses may include cash, services, and third party in-kind 
contributions, as described at 2 CFR 200.306, as applicable, and in the 
MEP program regulations at 15 CFR 290.4(c). No more than 50% of the 
applicant's total non-Federal cost share for any year of the award may 
be from third party in-kind contributions of part-time personnel, 
equipment, software, rental value of centrally located space, and 
related contributions, per 15 CFR 290.4(c)(5). The source and detailed 
rationale of the cost share, including cash, full- and part-time 
personnel, and in-kind donations, must be documented in the budget 
tables and budget narratives submitted with the application and will be 
considered as part of the review under the evaluation criterion found 
in section V.1.c.ii of the corresponding FFO.
    Recipients must meet the minimum non-federal cost share 
requirements for each year of the award as identified in the chart 
above. For purposes of the MEP Program, ``program income'' (as defined 
in 2 CFR 200.80, as applicable) generated by an MEP Center may be used 
by a recipient towards the required non-federal cost share under an MEP 
award.
    As with the Federal share, any proposed costs included as non-
Federal cost sharing must be an allowable/eligible cost under this 
program and under the Federal cost principles set forth in 2 CFR part 
200, subpart E. Non-Federal cost sharing incorporated into the budget 
of an approved MEP cooperative agreement is subject to audit in the 
same general manner as Federal award funds. See 2 CFR part 200, subpart 
F.
    As set forth in section IV.2.a(7) of the corresponding FFO, a 
letter of commitment is required from an authorized representative of 
the applicant, stating the total amount of cost share to be contributed 
by the applicant towards the proposed MEP Center. Letters of commitment 
for all other third-party sources of non-Federal cost sharing 
identified in a proposal are not required, but are strongly encouraged.

[[Page 4261]]

    Eligibility: The eligibility requirements set forth here and in 
section III.1 of the corresponding FFO will be used in lieu of and to 
the extent they are inconsistent with will supersede those given in the 
MEP regulations found at 15 CFR part 290, specifically 15 CFR 
290.5(a)(1). Each applicant for and recipient of an MEP award must be a 
U.S.-based nonprofit institution or organization. For the purpose of 
this notice and the corresponding FFO, nonprofit institutions include 
public and private nonprofit organizations, nonprofit or State colleges 
and universities, public or nonprofit community and technical colleges, 
and State, local or Tribal governments. Existing MEP awardees and new 
applicants that meet the eligibility criteria set forth here and in 
section III.1 of the corresponding FFO may apply. An eligible 
organization may work individually or may include proposed subawards to 
eligible organizations or proposed contracts with any other 
organization as part of the applicant's proposal, effectively forming a 
team. However, as discussed in section I.4 of the corresponding FFO, 
NIST generally will not fund applications that propose an 
organizational or operational structure that, in whole or in part, 
delegates or transfers to another person, institution, or organization 
the applicant's responsibility for MEP Core Management and Oversight 
functions. In addition, the applicant must have or propose an Oversight 
Board or Advisory Committee and Governance structure or plan for 
establishing a board structure within 90 days from the award start date 
(Refer to section I.3 of the corresponding FFO).
    Application Requirements: Applications must be submitted in 
accordance with the requirements set forth in section IV of the 
corresponding FFO announcement, which are in lieu of and to the extent 
they are inconsistent with will supersede any application requirements 
set forth in 15 CFR 290.5. See specifically sections IV.2.b(1), 
IV.2.b(2), and IV.2.b(7) in the Full Announcement Text of the 
corresponding FFO.
    Application/Review Information: The evaluation criteria, selection 
factors, and review and selection process provided in this section and 
in section V of the corresponding FFO will be used for this competition 
in lieu of and to the extent they are inconsistent with will supersede 
those provided in the MEP regulations found at 15 CFR part 290, 
specifically 15 CFR 290.6 and 290.7.
    Evaluation Criteria: The evaluation criteria that will be used in 
evaluating applications and assigned weights, with a maximum score of 
100, are listed below.
    a. Executive Summary and Project Narrative. (40 points; Sub-
criteria i through iv will be weighted equally) NIST/MEP will evaluate 
the extent to which the applicant's Executive Summary and Project 
Narrative demonstrates how the applicant's methodology will efficiently 
and effectively establish an MEP Center and provide manufacturing 
extension services to primarily small and medium-sized manufacturers in 
the applicable State-wide geographical service area identified in 
section II.2 of the corresponding FFO. Applicants should name the state 
to be covered in the first sentence of the Executive Summary and 
Project Narrative. Reviewers will consider the following topics when 
evaluating the Executive Summary and Project Narrative:
    i. Center Strategy. Reviewers will assess the applicant's strategy 
proposed for the Center to deliver services that meet manufacturers' 
needs, generate client impacts (e.g., cost savings, increased sales, 
etc.), and support a strong manufacturing ecosystem. Reviewers will 
assess the quality with which the applicant:
    <bullet> Incorporates the market analysis described in the 
criterion set forth in subsection ii, below and in section V.1.a.ii(1) 
of the corresponding FFO to inform strategies, products and services;
    <bullet> defines a strategy for delivering services that balances 
market penetration with impact and revenue generation, addressing the 
needs of manufacturers, with an emphasis on the small and medium-sized 
manufacturers;
    <bullet> defines the Center's existing and/or proposed roles and 
relationships with other entities in the State's manufacturing 
ecosystem, including State, regional, and local agencies, economic 
development organizations and educational institutions such as 
universities and community or technical colleges, industry 
associations, and other appropriate entities;
    <bullet> plans to engage with other entities in Statewide and/or 
regional advanced manufacturing initiatives; and
    <bullet> supports achievements of the MEP mission and objectives 
while also satisfying the interests of other stakeholders, investors, 
and partners.
    ii. Market Understanding. Reviewers will assess the strategy 
proposed for the Center to define the target market, understand the 
needs of manufacturers (especially Small and Medium Enterprises 
(SMEs)), and to define appropriate services to meet identified needs. 
Reviewers will evaluate the proposed approach for regularly updating 
this understanding through the five years. The following sub-topics 
will be evaluated and given equal weight:
    (1) Market Segmentation. Reviewers will assess the quality and 
extent of the applicant's market segmentation strategy including:
    <bullet> Segmentation of company size, geography, and industry 
priorities including some consideration of rural, start-up (a 
manufacturing establishment that has been in operation for five years 
or less) and/or very small manufacturers as appropriate to the state;
    <bullet> alignment with state and/or regional initiatives; and
    <bullet> other important factors identified by the applicant.
    (2) Needs Identification and Product/Service Offerings. Reviewers 
will assess the quality and extent of the applicant's proposed needs 
identification and proposed products and services for both sales growth 
and operational improvement in response to the applicant's market 
segmentation and understanding assessed by reviewers under the 
preceding subsection ii(1) and in section V.1.a.ii.1 of the 
corresponding FFO. Of particular interest is how the applicant would 
leverage new manufacturing technologies, techniques and processes 
usable by small and medium-sized manufacturers. Reviewers will also 
consider how an applicant's proposed approach will support a job-driven 
training agenda with manufacturing clients. (To learn more about the 
White House job-driven training agenda, please go to: https://www.whitehouse.gov/sites/default/files/docs/ready_to_work_factsheet.pdf).
    iii. Business Model. Reviewers will assess the applicant's proposed 
business model for the Center as the applicant provides in its Project 
Narrative, Qualifications of the Applicant; Key Personnel, 
Organizational Structure and Budget Tables and Budget Narratives 
sections of its Technical Proposal, submitted under section IV.2.a(6) 
of the corresponding FFO, and the proposed business model's ability to 
execute the strategy evaluated under criterion set forth in subsection 
ii(1), above, and in section V.1.a.i of the corresponding FFO, based on 
the market understanding evaluated under criterion set forth in 
subsection ii(2), above, and in section V.1.a.ii of the corresponding 
FFO. The following sub-topics will be evaluated and given equal weight:
    (1) Outreach and Service Delivery to the Market. Reviewers will 
assess the extent to which the proposed Center is organized to:
    <bullet> Identify, reach and provide proposed services to key 
market

[[Page 4262]]

segments and individual manufacturers described above;
    <bullet> work with a manufacturer's leadership in strategic 
discussions related to new technologies, new products and new markets; 
and
    <bullet> leverage the applicant's past experience in working with 
small and medium-sized manufacturers as a basis for future programmatic 
success.
    (2) Partnership Leverage and Linkages. Reviewers will assess the 
extent to which the proposed Center will make effective use of 
resources or partnerships with third parties such as industry, 
universities, community/technical colleges, nonprofit economic 
development organizations, and Federal, State and Local Government 
Agencies in the Center's business model.
    iv. Performance Measurement and Management. Reviewers will assess 
the extent to which the applicant will use a systematic approach to 
measuring and managing performance including the:
    <bullet> Quality and extent of the applicant's stated goals, 
milestones and outcomes described by operating year (year 1, year 2, 
etc.);
    <bullet> applicant's utilization of client-based business results 
important to stakeholders in understanding program impact; and
    <bullet> depth of the proposed methodology for program management 
and internal evaluation likely to ensure effective operations and 
oversight for meeting program and service delivery objectives.
    b. Qualifications of the Applicant; Key Personnel, Organizational 
Structure and Management; and Oversight Board or Advisory Committee and 
Governance (30 points; Sub-criteria i and ii will be weighted equally). 
Reviewers will assess the ability of the key personnel, the applicant's 
organizational structure and management and Oversight Board or Advisory 
Committee and Governance to deliver the program and services envisioned 
for the Center. Reviewers will consider the following topics when 
evaluating the qualifications of the applicant and of program 
management:
    i. Key Personnel, Organizational Structure and Management. 
Reviewers will assess the extent to which the:
    <bullet> Proposed key personnel have the appropriate experience and 
education in manufacturing, outreach, program management and 
partnership development to support achievements of the MEP mission and 
objectives;
    <bullet> proposed management structure and organizational roles are 
aligned to plan, direct, monitor, organize and control the monetary 
resources of the proposed center to achieve its business objectives 
(Refer to section I.4 of the corresponding FFO);
    <bullet> proposed organizational structure flows logically from the 
specified approach to the market and products and service offerings; 
and
    <bullet> proposed field staff structure sufficiently supports the 
geographic concentrations and industry targets for the region.
    ii. Oversight Board or Advisory Committee and Governance. Reviewers 
will assess the extent to which the:
    <bullet> Proposed Oversight Board or Advisory Committee and its 
operations are complete, appropriate and will meet the program's 
objectives at the time of award, or, if such a Board or Committee does 
not exist at the time of application or is not expected to meet these 
requirements at the time of award, the extent to which the proposed 
plan for developing and implementing such an Oversight Board or 
Advisory Committee within 90 days of award start date (expected to be 
October 1, 2016) is feasible. (Refer to section I.3 of the 
corresponding FFO).
    <bullet> Oversight Board or Advisory Committee and Governance is 
engaged with overseeing and guiding the Center and supports its own 
development through a schedule of regular meetings, and processes 
ensuring Board or Advisory Committee involvement in strategic planning, 
recruitment, selection and retention of board members, board assessment 
practices and board development initiatives (Refer to section I.3. of 
the corresponding FFO).
    c. Budget and Financial Plan. (30 points; Sub-criteria i and ii 
will be weighted equally) Reviewers will assess the suitability and 
focus of the applicant's five (5) year budget. The application will be 
assessed in the following areas:
    i. Budget. Reviewers will assess the extent to which:
    <bullet> The proposed financial plan is aligned to support the 
execution of the proposed Center's strategy and business model over the 
five (5) year project plan;
    <bullet> the proposed projections for income and expenditures are 
appropriate for the scale of services that are to be delivered by the 
proposed Center and the service delivery model envisioned within the 
context of the overall financial model over the five (5) year project 
plan;
    <bullet> a reasonable ramp-up or scale-up scope and budget has the 
Center fully operational by the 4th year of the project; and
    <bullet> the proposal's narrative for each of the budgeted items 
explains the rationale for each of the budgeted items, including 
assumptions the applicant used in budgeting for the Center.
    ii. Quality of the Financial Plan for Meeting the Award's Non-
Federal Cost Share Requirements over 5 Years. Reviewers will assess the 
quality of and extent to which the:
    <bullet> Applicant clearly describes the total level of cost share 
and detailed rationale of the cost share, including cash and in-kind, 
in their proposed budget.
    <bullet> applicant's funding commitments for cost share are 
documented by letters of support from the applicant, proposed sub-
recipients and any other partners identified and meet the basic 
matching requirements of the program;
    <bullet> applicant's cost share meets basic requirements of 
allowability, allocability and reasonableness under applicable federal 
costs principles set for in 2 CFR part 200, subpart E;
    <bullet> applicant's underlying accounting system is established or 
will be established to meet applicable federal costs principles set for 
in 2 CFR part 200, subpart E; and
    <bullet> the overall proposed financial plan is sufficiently robust 
and diversified so as to support the long term sustainability of the 
Center throughout the five (5) years of the project plan.
    Selection Factors: The Selection Factors for this notice as set 
forth here and in section V.3 of the corresponding FFO are as follows:
    a. The availability of Federal funds;
    b. Relevance of the proposed project to MEP program goals and 
policy objectives;
    c. Reviewers' evaluations, including technical comments;
    d. The need to assure appropriate distribution of MEP services 
within the designated State;
    e. Whether the project duplicates other projects funded by DoC or 
by other Federal agencies; and
    f. Whether the application complements or supports other 
Administration priorities, or projects supported by DoC or other 
Federal agencies, such as but not limited to the National Network for 
Manufacturing Innovation and the Investing in Manufacturing Communities 
Partnership.
    Review and Selection Process: Proposals, reports, documents and 
other information related to applications submitted to NIST and/or 
relating to financial assistance awards issued by NIST will be reviewed 
and considered by Federal employees, Federal agents and contractors, 
and/or by non-Federal personnel who enter into nondisclosure agreements 
covering such information as set forth here and in section V.2 of the 
corresponding FFO, which will be

[[Page 4263]]

used for this competition in lieu of and to the extent they are 
inconsistent with will supersede the review and selection process 
provided in the MEP regulations found at 15 CFR part 290, specifically 
15 CFR 290.7.
    (1) Initial Administrative Review of Applications. An initial 
review of timely received applications will be conducted to determine 
eligibility, completeness, and responsiveness to this notice and the 
corresponding FFO and the scope of the stated program objectives. 
Applications determined to be ineligible, incomplete, and/or non-
responsive may be eliminated from further review. However, NIST, in its 
sole discretion, may continue the review process for an application 
that is missing non-substantive information that can easily be 
rectified or cured.
    (2) Full Review of Eligible, Complete, and Responsive Applications. 
Applications that are determined to be eligible, complete, and 
responsive will proceed for full reviews in accordance with the review 
and selection processes below. Eligible, complete and responsive 
applications will be grouped by the State in which the proposed MEP 
Center is to be established. The applications in each group will be 
reviewed by the same reviewers and will be evaluated, reviewed, and 
selected as described below in separate groups.
    (3) Evaluation and Review. Each application will be reviewed by at 
least three technically qualified individual reviewers who will 
evaluate each application based on the evaluation criteria (see section 
V.1 of the corresponding FFO). Applicants may receive written follow-up 
questions in order for the reviewers to gain a better understanding of 
the applicant's proposal. Each reviewer will provide a written 
technical assessment against the evaluation criteria and based on that 
assessment will assign each application a numeric score, with a maximum 
score of 100. If a non-Federal reviewer is used, the reviewers may 
discuss the applications with each other, but scores will be determined 
on an individual basis, not as a consensus.
    Applicants whose applications receive an average score of 70 or 
higher out of 100 will be deemed finalists. If deemed necessary, 
finalists will be invited to participate with reviewers in a conference 
call and/or a video conference, and/or finalists will be invited to 
participate in a site visit that will be conducted by the same 
reviewers at the applicant's location. In any event, if there are two 
(2) or more finalists within a state, conference calls, video 
conferences or site visits will be conducted with each finalist. 
Finalists will be reviewed and evaluated, and reviewers may revise 
their assigned numeric scores based on the evaluation criteria (see 
section V.1 of the corresponding FFO) as a result of the conference 
call, video conference, and/or site visit.
    (4) Ranking and Selection. Based upon an average of the technical 
reviewers' final scores, an adjectival rating will be assigned to each 
application in accordance with the following scale:
    Fundable, Outstanding (91-100 points);
    Fundable, Very Good (81-90 points);
    Fundable (70-80 points); or
    Unfundable (0-69 points).
    For decision-making purposes, applications receiving the same 
adjectival rating will be considered to have an equivalent ranking, 
although their technical review scores, while comparable, may not 
necessarily be the same.
    The Selecting Official is the NIST Associate Director for 
Innovation and Industry Services or designee. The Selecting Official 
makes the final recommendation to the NIST Grants Officer regarding the 
funding of applications under the corresponding FFO. The Selecting 
Official shall be provided all applications, all the scores and 
technical assessments of the reviewers, and all information obtained 
from the applicants during the evaluation, review and negotiation 
processes.
    The Selecting Official will generally select and recommend the most 
meritorious application for an award based on the adjectival rankings 
and/or one or more of the six (6) selection factors described in 
section V.3 of the corresponding FFO. The Selecting Official retains 
the discretion to select and recommend an application out of rank order 
(i.e., from a lower adjectival category) based on one or more of the 
selection factors, or to select and recommend no applications for 
funding. The Selecting Official's recommendation to the Grants Officer 
shall set forth the bases for the selection decision.
    As part of the overall review and selection process, NIST reserves 
the right to request that applicants provide pre-award clarifications 
and/or to enter into pre-award negotiations with applicants relative to 
programmatic, financial or other aspects of an application, such as but 
not limited to the revision or removal of proposed budget costs, or the 
modification of proposed MEP Center activities, work plans or program 
goals and objectives. In this regard, NIST may request that applicants 
provide supplemental information required by the Agency prior to award. 
NIST also reserves the right to reject an application where information 
is uncovered that raises a reasonable doubt as to the responsibility of 
the applicant. The final approval of selected applications and issuance 
of awards will be by the NIST Grants Officer. The award decisions of 
the NIST Grants Officer are final.
    Anticipated Announcement and Award Date. Review, selection, and 
award processing is expected to be completed in mid-late 2016. The 
anticipated start date for awards made under this notice and the 
corresponding FFO is expected to be October 1, 2016.

Additional Information

    a. Application Replacement Pages. Applicants may not submit 
replacement pages and/or missing documents once an application has been 
submitted. Any revisions must be made by submission of a new 
application that must be received by NIST by the submission deadline.
    b. Notification to Unsuccessful Applicants. Unsuccessful applicants 
will be notified in writing.
    c. Retention of Unsuccessful Applications. An electronic copy of 
each non-selected application will be retained for three (3) years for 
record keeping purposes. After three (3) years, it will be destroyed.

Administrative and National Policy Requirements

    Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles and Audit 
Requirements: Through 2 CFR 1327.101, the Department of Commerce 
adopted the Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, and 
Audit Requirements for Federal Awards at 2 CFR part 200, which apply to 
awards made pursuant to this notice and the corresponding FFO. Refer to 
http://go.usa.gov/SBYh and http://go.usa.gov/SBg4.
    The Department of Commerce Pre-Award Notification Requirements: The 
Department of Commerce will apply the Pre-Award Notification 
Requirements for Grants and Cooperative Agreements dated December 30, 
2014 (79 FR 78390). If the Department of Commerce publishes revised 
Pre-Award Notification Requirements prior to issuance of awards under 
this notice and the corresponding FFO, the revised Pre-Award 
Notification Requirements will apply. Refer to section VII of the 
corresponding FFO, Federal Awarding Agency Contacts, Grant Rules and 
Regulations for more information.

[[Page 4264]]

    Unique Entity Identifier and System for Award Management (SAM): 
Pursuant to 2 CFR part 25, applicants and recipients (as the case may 
be) are required to: (i) Be registered in SAM before submitting its 
application; (ii) provide a valid unique entity identifier in its 
application; and (iii) continue to maintain an active SAM registration 
with current information at all times during which it has an active 
Federal award or an application or plan under consideration by a 
Federal awarding agency, unless otherwise excepted from these 
requirements pursuant to 2 CFR 25.110. NIST will not make a Federal 
award to an applicant until the applicant has complied with all 
applicable unique entity identifier and SAM requirements. If an 
applicant has not fully complied with the requirements by the time that 
NIST is ready to make a Federal award pursuant to this notice and the 
corresponding FFO, NIST may determine that the applicant is not 
qualified to receive a Federal award and use that determination as a 
basis for making a Federal award to another applicant.
    Paperwork Reduction Act: The standard forms in the application kit 
involve a collection of information subject to the Paperwork Reduction 
Act. The use of Standard Forms 424, 424A, 424B, SF-LLL, and CD-346 have 
been approved by OMB under the respective Control Numbers 0348-0043, 
0348-0044, 0348-0040, 0348-0046, and 0605-0001. MEP program-specific 
application requirements have been approved by OMB under Control Number 
0693-0056.
    Notwithstanding any other provision of the law, no person is 
required to respond to, nor shall any person be subject to a penalty 
for failure to comply with, a collection of information subject to the 
requirements of the Paperwork Reduction Act, unless that collection of 
information displays a currently valid OMB Control Number.
    Certifications Regarding Federal Felony and Federal Criminal Tax 
Convictions, Unpaid Federal Tax Assessments and Delinquent Federal Tax 
Returns. In accordance with Federal appropriations law, an authorized 
representative of the selected applicant(s) may be required to provide 
certain pre-award certifications regarding federal felony and federal 
criminal tax convictions, unpaid federal tax assessments, and 
delinquent federal tax returns.
    Funding Availability and Limitation of Liability: Funding for the 
program listed in this notice and the corresponding FFO is contingent 
upon the availability of appropriations. In no event will NIST or DoC 
be responsible for application preparation costs if this program fails 
to receive funding or is cancelled because of agency priorities. 
Publication of this notice and the corresponding FFO does not oblige 
NIST or DoC to award any specific project or to obligate any available 
funds.
    Other Administrative and National Policy Requirements: Additional 
administrative and national policy requirements are set forth in 
section VI.2 of the corresponding FFO.
    Executive Order 12866: This funding notice was determined to be not 
significant for purposes of Executive Order 12866.
    Executive Order 13132 (Federalism): It has been determined that 
this notice does not contain policies with federalism implications as 
that term is defined in Executive Order 13132.
    Executive Order 12372: Proposals under this program are not subject 
to Executive Order 12372, ``Intergovernmental Review of Federal 
Programs.''
    Administrative Procedure Act/Regulatory Flexibility Act: Notice and 
comment are not required under the Administrative Procedure Act (5 
U.S.C. 553) or any other law, for matters relating to public property, 
loans, grants, benefits or contracts (5 U.S.C. 553(a)). Moreover, 
because notice and comment are not required under 5 U.S.C. 553, or any 
other law, for matters relating to public property, loans, grants, 
benefits or contracts (5 U.S.C. 553(a)), a Regulatory Flexibility 
Analysis is not required and has not been prepared for this notice, 5 
U.S.C. 601 et seq.

Richard R. Cavanagh,
Director, Special Programs Office.
[FR Doc. 2016-01405 Filed 1-25-16; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-13-P


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