[Federal Register Volume 81, Number 25 (Monday, February 8, 2016)]
[Notices]
[Pages 6578-6584]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2016-02368]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Office of the Secretary of Transportation


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

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

ACTION: Notice of Funding Availability for the Southwest Region SBTRC.

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SUMMARY: The Department of Transportation (DOT), Office of the 
Secretary (OST), Office of Small and Disadvantaged Business Utilization 
(OSDBU) announces the opportunity for; (1) business centered community-
based organizations; (2) transportation-related trade associations; (3) 
colleges and universities; (4) community colleges or; (5) chambers of 
commerce, registered with the Internal Revenue Service as 501C(6) or 
501C(3) tax-exempt organizations, to compete for participation in 
OSDBU's Small Business Transportation Resource Center (SBTRC) program 
in the Southwest Region (California, Nevada, Arizona, and Hawaii).
    OSDBU will enter into Cooperative Agreements with these 
organizations to provide outreach to the small business community in 
their designated region and provide financial and technical assistance, 
business training programs, business assessment, management training, 
counseling, marketing and outreach, and the dissemination of 
information, to encourage and assist small businesses to become better 
prepared to compete for, obtain, and manage DOT funded transportation-
related contracts and subcontracts at the federal, state and local 
levels. Throughout this notice, the term ``small business'' will refer 
to: 8(a), small disadvantaged businesses (SDB), disadvantaged business 
enterprises (DBE), women owned small businesses (WOSB), HubZone, 
service disabled veteran owned businesses (SDVOB), and veteran owned 
small businesses (VOSB). Throughout this notice, ``transportation-
related'' is defined as the maintenance, rehabilitation, restructuring, 
improvement, or revitalization of any of the nation's modes of 
transportation.
    Funding Opportunity Number: USDOT-OST-OSDBU/SBTRCSOUTHWEST-2016-1.
    Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance (CFDA) Number: 20.910 
Assistance to Small and Disadvantaged Businesses.
    Type of Award: Cooperative Agreement Grant.
    Award Ceiling: $160,000.
    Award Floor: $145,000.
    Program Authority: DOT is authorized under 49 U.S.C. 332(b)(4), (5) 
& (7) to design and carry out programs to assist small disadvantaged 
businesses in getting transportation-related contracts and 
subcontracts; develop support mechanisms, including management and 
technical services, that will enable small disadvantaged businesses to 
take advantage of those business opportunities; and to make 
arrangements to carry out the above purposes.

[[Page 6579]]


DATES: Complete Proposals must be electronically submitted to OSDBU via 
email on or before March 25, 2016, 6:00 p.m. Eastern Standard Time 
(EST). Proposals received after the deadline will be considered non-
responsive and will not be reviewed. The applicant is advised to 
request delivery receipt notification for email submissions. DOT plans 
to give notice of award for the competed region on or before April 4, 
2016, by 6:00 p.m. (EST).

ADDRESSES: Applications must be electronically submitted to OSDBU via 
email at <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#91c2d3c5c3d2d1f5fee5bff6fee7"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="96c5d4c2c4d5d6f2f9e2b8f1f9e0">[email protected]</span></a> and the OSDBU Regional Assistance Division 
Manager, Michelle Harris, at <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#f2bf9b919a979e9e97dcba9380809b81b2969d86dc959d84"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="1a577379727f76767f34527b686873695a7e756e347d756c">[email protected]</span></a> (copied).

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For further information concerning 
this notice, contact Mr. Adam Dorsey, Program Analyst, U.S. Department 
of Transportation, Office of Small and Disadvantaged Business 
Utilization, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE., Washington, DC 20590. 
Telephone: (202) 366-1930. Email: <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#29484d4844074d465b5a4c50694d465d074e465f"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="4d2c292c206329223f3e28340d292239632a223b">[email protected]</span></a>.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

Table of Contents

1. Introduction
    1.1 Background
    1.2 Program Description and Goals
    1.3 Description of Competition
    1.4 Duration of Agreements
    1.5 Authority
    1.6 Eligibility Requirements
2. Program Requirements
    2.1 Recipient Responsibilities
    2.2 Office of Small and Disadvantaged Business Utilization 
Responsibilities
3. Submission of Proposals
    3.1 Format for Proposals
    3.2 Address, Number of Copies, Deadline for Submission
4. Selection Criteria
    4.1 General Criteria
    4.2 Scoring of Applications
    4.3 Conflicts of Interest
Format for Proposals--Appendix A

Full Text of Announcement

1. Introduction

1.1 Background

    The DOT established OSDBU in accordance with Public Law 95-507, an 
amendment to the Small Business Act and the Small Business Investment 
Act of 1958. The mission of OSDBU at DOT is to ensure that the small 
and disadvantaged business policies and goals of the Secretary of 
Transportation are developed and implemented in a fair, efficient and 
effective manner to serve small and disadvantaged businesses throughout 
the country. The OSDBU also administers the provisions of Title 49, 
Section 332, the Minority Resource Center (MRC) which includes the 
duties of advocacy, outreach and financial services on behalf of small 
and disadvantaged business and those certified under CFR 49 parts 23 
and or 26 as Disadvantaged Business Enterprises (DBE) and the 
development of programs to encourage, stimulate, promote and assist 
small businesses to become better prepared to compete for, obtain and 
manage transportation-related contracts and subcontracts.
    The Regional Assistance Division of OSDBU, through the SBTRC 
program, allows OSDBU to partner with local organizations to offer a 
comprehensive delivery system of business training, technical 
assistance and dissemination of information, targeted towards small 
business transportation enterprises in their regions.

1.2 Program Description and Goals

    The national SBTRC program utilizes Cooperative Agreements with 
chambers of commerce, trade associations, educational institutions and 
business-centered community based organizations to establish SBTRCs to 
provide business training, technical assistance and information to DOT 
grantees and recipients, prime contractors and subcontractors. In order 
to be effective and serve their target audience, the SBTRCs must be 
active in the local transportation community in order to identify and 
communicate opportunities and provide the required technical 
assistance. SBTRCs must already have, or demonstrate the ability to, 
establish working relationships with the state and local transportation 
agencies and technical assistance agencies (i.e. The U.S. Department of 
Commerce's Minority Business Development Centers (MBDCs), Small 
Business Development Centers (SBDCs), and Procurement Technical 
Assistance Centers (PTACs), SCORE and State DOT highway supportive 
services contractors in their region. Utilizing these relationships and 
their own expertise, the SBTRCs are involved in activities such as 
information dissemination, small business counseling, and technical 
assistance with small businesses currently doing business with public 
and private entities in the transportation industry.
    Effective outreach is critical to the success of the SBTRC program. 
In order for their outreach efforts to be effective, SBTRCs must be 
familiar with DOT's Operating Administrations, its funding sources, and 
how funding is awarded to DOT grantees, recipients, contractors, 
subcontractors, and its financial assistance programs. SBTRCs must 
provide outreach to the regional small business transportation 
community to disseminate information and distribute DOT-published 
marketing materials, such as Short Term Lending Program (STLP) 
Information, Bonding Education Program (BEP) information, SBTRC 
brochures and literature, DOT Procurement Forecasts; Contracting with 
DOT booklets, Women and Girls in Transportation Initiative (WITI) 
information, and any other materials or resources that DOT or OSDBU may 
develop for this purpose. To maximize outreach, the SBTRC may be called 
upon to participate in regional and national conferences and seminars. 
Quantities of DOT publications for on-hand inventory and dissemination 
at conferences and seminars will be available upon request from the 
OSDBU office.

1.3 Description of Competition

    The purpose of this Request For Proposal (RFP) is to solicit 
proposals from transportation-related trade associations, chambers of 
commerce, community based entities, colleges and universities, 
community colleges, and any other qualifying transportation-related 
non-profit organizations with the desire and ability to partner with 
OSDBU to establish and maintain an SBTRC.
    It is OSDBU's intent to award a Cooperative Agreement to one 
organization in the Southwest Region, from herein referred to as 
``region'', in this solicitation. However, if warranted, OSDBU reserves 
the option to make multiple awards to selected partners. OSDBU also 
reserves the right to modify geographical area covered by the Southwest 
Region SBTRC. Proposals submitted for a region must contain a plan to 
service the states throughout the Southwest Region (California, 
Arizona, Nevada, and Hawaii), not just the state or immediate local 
geographical area where the SBTRC is headquartered. The SBTRC 
headquarters must be established in one of the designated states within 
the Southwest Region (California, Arizona, Nevada, and Hawaii).
SBTRC Region Competed in This Solicitation:
Southwest Region (California, Arizona, Nevada, and Hawaii)
    Program requirements and selection criteria, set forth in Sections 
2 and 4 respectively, indicate that the OSDBU intends for the SBTRC to 
be multidimensional; that is, the selected organization must have the 
capacity to effectively access and provide supportive services to the 
broad range of

[[Page 6580]]

small businesses within the respective geographical region. To this 
end, the SBTRC must be able to demonstrate that they currently have 
established relationships within each state in the geographic region 
with whom they may coordinate and establish effective networks with DOT 
grant recipients and local/regional technical assistance agencies to 
maximize resources.
    Cooperative agreement awards will be distributed to the region(s) 
as follows:

Southwest Region
    Ceiling: $160,000 per year
    Floor: $145,000 per year

    Cooperative agreement awards by region are based upon an analysis 
of DBEs, Certified Small Businesses, and US DOT transportation dollars 
in each region.
    It is OSDBU's intent to maximize the benefits received by the small 
business transportation community through the SBTRC. Funding will 
reimburse an on-site Project Director for 100% of salary plus fringe 
benefits, an on-site Executive Director up to 20% of salary plus fringe 
benefits, up to 100% of a Project Coordinator salary plus fringe 
benefits, the cost of designated SBTRC space, other direct costs, and 
all other general and administrative expenses. Selected SBTRC partners 
will be expected to provide in-kind administrative support. Submitted 
proposals must contain an alternative funding source with which the 
SBTRC will fund administrative support costs. Preference will be given 
to proposals containing in-kind contributions for the Project Director, 
the Executive Director, the Project Coordinator, cost of designated 
SBTRC space, other direct costs, and all other general and 
administrative expenses. The SBTRC will furnish all labor, facilities 
and equipment to perform the services described in this announcement.

1.4 Duration of Agreements

    The cooperative agreement will be awarded for a period of 12 months 
(one year) with options for two (2) additional one year periods, at the 
discretion of OSDBU. OSDBU will notify the SBTRC of our intention to 
exercise an option year or not to exercise an option year 30 days in 
advance of expiration of the current year. Upon exercising the first 
option year of the Cooperative Agreement, OSDBU will renew the SBTRC 
with a 3% funding increase. Upon exercising the second option year, 
OSDBU will renew the SBTRC with a 1% increase from the first option 
year.

Authority

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

1.5 Eligibility Requirements

    To be eligible, an organization must be an established, nonprofit, 
community-based organization, transportation-related trade association, 
chamber of commerce, college or university, community college, and any 
other qualifying transportation-related non-profit organization which 
has the documented experience and capacity necessary to successfully 
operate and administer a coordinated delivery system that provides 
access for small businesses to prepare and compete for transportation-
related contracts.
    In addition, to be eligible, the applicant organization must:
    (A) Be an established 501C(3) or 501C(6) tax-exempt organization 
and provide documentation as verification. No application will be 
accepted without proof of tax-exempt status;
    (B) Have at least one year of documented and continuous experience 
prior to the date of application in providing advocacy, outreach, and 
technical assistance to small businesses within the region in which 
proposed services will be provided. Prior performance providing 
services to the transportation community is preferable, but not 
required; and
    (C) Have an office physically located within the proposed city in 
the designated headquarters state in the region for which they are 
submitting the proposal that is readily accessible to the public.

2. Program Requirements

2.1 Recipient Responsibilities

(A) Assessments, Business Analyses
    1. Conduct an assessment of small businesses in the SBTRC region to 
determine their training and technical assistance needs, and use 
information that is available at no cost to structure programs and 
services that will enable small businesses to become better prepared to 
compete for and receive transportation-related contract awards.
    2. Contact other federal, state and local government agencies, such 
as the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA), state and local 
highway agencies, state and local airport authorities, and transit 
authorities to identify relevant and current information that may 
support the assessment of the regional small business transportation 
community needs.
(B) General Management & Technical Training and Assistance
    1. Utilize OSDBU's Intake Form to document each small business 
assisted by the SBTRC and type of service(s) provided. A complete list 
of businesses that have filled out the form shall be submitted as part 
of the SBTRC report, submitted via email to the Regional Assistance 
Division on a regular basis (using the SBTRC Report). This report will 
detail SBTRC activities and performance results. The data provided must 
be supported by the narrative (if asked).
    2. Ensure that an array of information is made available for 
distribution to the small business transportation community that is 
designed to inform and educate the community on DOT/OSDBU services and 
opportunities.
    3. Coordinate efforts with OSDBU in order to maintain an on-hand 
inventory of DOT/OSDBU informational materials for general 
dissemination and for distribution at transportation-related 
conferences and other events.
(C) Business Counseling
    1. Collaborate with agencies, such as State, Regional, and Local 
Transportation Government Agencies, SBA, U.S. Department of Commerce's 
Minority Business Development Centers (MBDCs), Service Corps of Retired 
Executives (SCORE), Procurement Technical Assistance Centers (PTACs), 
and Small Business Development Centers (SBDCs), to offer a broad range 
of counseling services to transportation-related small business 
enterprises.
    2. Create a technical assistance plan that will provide each 
counseled participant with the knowledge and skills necessary to 
improve the management of their own small business to expand their 
transportation-related contracts and subcontracts portfolio.
    3. Provide a minimum of 20 hours of individual or group counseling 
sessions to small businesses per month. This counseling includes in-
person meetings or over the phone, and does not include any time taken 
to do email correspondence.
(D) Planning Committee
    1. Establish a Regional Planning Committee consisting of at least 
10 members that includes representatives from the regional community 
and federal, state, and local agencies. The

[[Page 6581]]

highway, airport, and transit authorities for the SBTRC's headquarters 
state must have representation on the planning committee. This 
committee shall be established no later than 60 days after the 
execution of the Cooperative agreement between the OSDBU and the 
selected SBRTC.
    2. Provide a forum for the federal, state, and local agencies to 
disseminate information about upcoming DOT procurements and SBTRC 
activities.
    3. Hold either monthly or quarterly meetings at a time and place 
agreed upon by SBTRC and planning committee members (conference calls 
and/or video conferences are acceptable).
    4. Use the initial session hosted by the SBTRC to explain the 
mission of the committee and identify roles of the staff and the 
members of the group.
    5. Responsibility for the agenda and direction of the Planning 
Committee should be handled by the SBTRC Project Director or his/her 
designee.
(E) Outreach Services/Conference Participation
    1. Utilize the services of the System for Award Management (SAM) 
and other sources to construct a database of regional small businesses 
that currently or may in the future participate in DOT direct and DOT 
funded transportation related contracts, and make this database 
available to OSDBU, upon request.
    2. Utilize the database of regional transportation-related small 
businesses to match opportunities identified through the planning 
committee forum, FedBiz Opps (a web-based system for posting 
solicitations and other Federal procurement-related documents on the 
Internet), and other sources to eligible small businesses and inform 
the small business community about those opportunities.
    3. Develop a ``targeted'' database of firms (100-150) that have the 
capacity and capabilities, and are ready, willing and able to 
participate in DOT contracts and subcontracts immediately. This control 
group will receive ample resources from the SBTRC, i.e., access to 
working capital, bonding assistance, business counseling, management 
assistance and direct referrals to DOT agencies at the state and local 
levels, and to prime contractors as effective subcontractor firms.
    4. Identify regional, state and local conferences where a 
significant number of small businesses, with transportation related 
capabilities, are expected to be in attendance. Maintain and submit a 
list of those events to the Regional Assistance Division for review and 
posting on the OSDBU Web site on a regular basis. Clearly identify the 
events designated for SBTRC participation and include recommendations 
for OSDBU participation. This information can be submitted as part of 
the SBTRC Report.
    5. Conduct outreach and disseminate information to small businesses 
at regional transportation-related conferences, seminars, and 
workshops. In the event that the SBTRC is requested to participate in 
an event, the OSDBU will send DOT materials, the OSDBU banner and other 
information that is deemed necessary for the event.
    6. Submit a conference summary report within the `Events' section 
of the SBTRC Report. The conference summary report should summarize the 
activity, contacts made, outreach results, and recommendations for 
continued or discontinued participation in future similar events 
sponsored by that organization.
    7. Upon request by OSDBU, coordinate efforts with DOT's grantees 
and recipients at the state and/or local levels to sponsor or cosponsor 
an OSDBU transportation related conference in the region (commonly 
referred to as ``Small Business Summits''.
    8. Participate in the SBTRC monthly teleconference call, hosted by 
the OSDBU Regional Assistance.
(F) Short Term Lending Program (STLP)
    1. Work with STLP participating banks and if not available, other 
lending institutions to deliver a minimum of five (5) seminars/
workshops per year on the STLP, and/or other financial assistance 
programs, to the transportation-related small business community. 
Seminars/workshops must cover the entire STLP/loan process, from 
completion of STLP/loan applications and preparation of the loan 
package.
    2. Provide direct support, technical support, and advocacy services 
to potential STLP applicants to increase the probability of STLP loan 
approval and generate a minimum of four (4) completed STLP applications 
per year.
    3. Provide direct support, technical support, and advocacy services 
to Small and Disadvantaged Businesses interested in obtaining a loan 
from another type of Government Lending Program. Government Lending 
Programs include Federal, State, and Local level programs. The SBTRC 
will be required to generate a minimum of three (3) completed 
Government Lending Program applications per year.
(G) Bonding Education Program (BEP)
    Work with OSDBU, bonding industry partners, local small business 
transportation stakeholders, and local bond producers/agents in your 
region to deliver a minimum of two (2) complete Bonding Education 
Programs and secure at least 3% of the total DBE contract value for 
each transportation project. The BEP consists of the following 
components; (1) the stakeholder's meeting; (2) the educational 
workshops component; (3) the bond readiness component; and (4) follow-
on assistance to BEP participants to provide technical and procurement 
assistance based on the prescriptive plan determined by the BEP. For 
each BEP event, work with the local bond producers/agents in your 
region and the disadvantaged business participants to deliver a minimum 
of ten (10) disadvantaged business participants in the BEP with either 
access to bonding or an increase in bonding capacity. The programs will 
be funded separately and in addition to the amount listed in section 
1.3 of this solicitation.
(H) Women and Girls in Transportation Initiative (WITI)
    (A) Pursuant to Executive Order 13506, and 49 U.S.C. 332(b)(4) & 
(7), the SBTRC shall administer the WITI in their geographical region. 
The SBTRC shall implement the DOT WITI program as defined by the DOT 
WITI Policy. The WITI program is designed to identify, educate, 
attract, and retain women and girls from a variety of disciplines in 
the transportation industry. The SBTRC shall also be responsible for 
outreach activities in the implementation of this program and 
advertising the WITI program to all colleges and universities and 
transportation entities in their region. The WITI program shall be 
developed in conjunction with the skill needs of the USDOT, state and 
local transportation agencies and appropriate private sector 
transportation-related participants including, S/WOBs/DBEs, and women 
organizations involved in transportation. Emphasis shall be placed on 
establishing partnerships with transportation-related businesses. The 
SBTRC will be required to host 1 WITI event and attend at least 5 
events where WITI is presented and marketed.
    (B) Each region will establish a Women in Transportation Advisory 
Committee. The committee will provide a forum to identify and provide 
workable solutions to barriers that women-owned businesses encounter in 
transportation-related careers. The committee will have 5 members 
(including the SBTRC Project Director) with a 1 year membership. 
Meetings

[[Page 6582]]

will be conducted on a quarterly basis at an agreeable place and time.

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

    (A) Provide consultation and technical assistance in planning, 
implementing and evaluating activities under this announcement.
    (B) Provide orientation and training to the applicant organization.
    (C) Monitor SBTRC activities, cooperative agreement compliance, and 
overall SBTRC performance.
    (D) Assist SBTRC to develop or strengthen its relationships with 
federal, state, and local transportation authorities, other technical 
assistance organizations, and DOT grantees.
    (E) Facilitate the exchange and transfer of successful program 
activities and information among all SBTRC regions.
    (F) Provide the SBTRC with DOT/OSDBU materials and other relevant 
transportation related information for dissemination.
    (G) Maintain effective communication with the SBTRC and inform them 
of transportation news and contracting opportunities to share with 
small businesses in their region.
    (H) Provide all required forms to be used by the SBTRC for 
reporting purposes under the program.
    (I) Perform an annual performance evaluation of the SBTRC. 
Satisfactory performance is a condition of continued participation of 
the organization as an SBTRC and execution of all option years.

3. Submission of Proposals

3.1 Format for Proposals

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

3.2 Address; Number of Copies; Deadlines for Submission

    Any eligible organization, as defined in Section 1.6 of this 
announcement, will submit only one proposal per region for 
consideration by OSDBU.
    Applications must be double spaced, and printed in a font size not 
smaller than 12 points. Applications will not exceed 35 single-sided 
pages, not including any requested attachments. All pages should be 
numbered at the top of each page. All documentation, attachments, or 
other information pertinent to the application must be included in a 
single submission. Proposal packages must be submitted electronically 
to OSDBU at <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#cb98899f99888bafa4bfe5aca4bd"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="1e4d5c4a4c5d5e7a716a30797168">[email protected]</span></a> and to the Regional Assistance Division 
Manager, Michelle Harris, at <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#97dafef4fff2fbfbf2b9dff6e5e5fee4d7f3f8e3b9f0f8e1"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="8dc0e4eee5e8e1e1e8a3c5ecffffe4fecde9e2f9a3eae2fb">[email protected]</span></a>.
    The applicant is advised to turn on request delivery receipt 
notification for email submission. Proposals must be received by DOT/
OSDBU no later than March 25, 2016, 6:00 p.m. Eastern Standard Time 
(EST).

4. Selection Criteria

4.1 General Criteria

    OSDBU will award the cooperative agreement on a best value basis, 
using the following criteria to rate and rank applications:
    Applications will be evaluated using a point system (maximum number 
of points = 100);

<bullet> Approach and strategy (25 points)
<bullet> Linkages (25 points)
<bullet> Organizational Capability (25 points)
<bullet> Staff Capabilities and Experience (15 points)
<bullet> Cost Proposal (10 points)

(A) Approach and Strategy (25 Points)
    The applicant must describe their strategy to achieve the overall 
mission of the SBTRC as described in this solicitation and service the 
small business community in their entire geographic regional area. The 
applicant must also describe how the specific activities outlined in 
Section 2.1 will be implemented and executed in the organization's 
regional area. OSDBU will consider the extent to which the proposed 
objectives are specific, measurable, time-specific, and consistent with 
OSDBU goals and the applicant organization's overall mission. OSDBU 
will give priority consideration to applicants that demonstrate 
innovation and creativity in their approach to assist small businesses 
to become successful transportation contractors and increase their 
ability to access DOT contracting opportunities and financial 
assistance programs. Applicants must also submit the estimated direct 
costs, other than labor, to execute their proposed strategy. OSDBU will 
consider the quality of the applicant's plan for conducting program 
activities and the likelihood that the proposed methods will be 
successful in achieving proposed objectives at the proposed cost.
(B) Linkages (25 Points)
    The applicant must describe their established relationships within 
their geographic region and demonstrate their ability to coordinate and 
establish effective networks with DOT grant recipients and local/
regional technical assistance agencies to maximize resources. OSDBU 
will consider innovative aspects of the applicant's approach and 
strategy to build upon their existing relationships and established 
networks with existing resources in their geographical area. The 
applicant should describe their strategy to obtain support and 
collaboration on SBTRC activities from DOT grantees and recipients, 
transportation prime contractors and subcontractors, the SBA, U.S. 
Department of Commerce's Minority Business Development Centers (MBDCs), 
Service Corps of Retired Executives (SCORE), Procurement Technical 
Assistance Centers (PTACs), Small Business Development Centers (SBDCs), 
State DOTs, and State highway supportive services contractors. In 
rating this factor, OSDBU will consider the extent to which the 
applicant demonstrates ability to be multidimensional. The applicant 
must demonstrate that they have the ability to access a broad range of 
supportive services to effectively serve a broad range of 
transportation-related small businesses within their respective 
geographical region. Emphasis will also be placed on the extent to 
which the applicant identifies a clear outreach strategy related to the 
identified needs that can be successfully carried out within the period 
of this agreement and a plan for involving the Planning Committee in 
the execution of that strategy.
(C) Organizational Capability (25 Points)
    The applicant must demonstrate that they have the organizational 
capability to meet the program requirements set forth in Section 2. The 
applicant organization must have sufficient resources and past 
performance experience to successfully provide outreach to the small 
business transportation resources in their geographical area and carry 
out the mission of the SBTRC. In rating this factor, OSDBU will 
consider the extent to which the applicant's organization has recent, 
relevant and successful experience in advocating for and addressing the 
needs of small businesses. Applicants will be given points for 
demonstrated past transportation-related performance. The applicant 
must also describe technical and administrative resources it plans to 
use in achieving proposed objectives. In their description, the 
applicant must describe their facilities, computer and technical 
facilities, ability to tap into volunteer staff time, and a plan for 
sufficient matching alternative financial resources to fund the general 
and administrative costs of the SBTRC. The applicant must also describe 
their

[[Page 6583]]

administrative and financial management staff. It will be the 
responsibility of the successful candidate to not only provide the 
services outlined herein to small businesses in the transportation 
industry, but to also successfully manage and maintain their internal 
financial, payment, and invoicing process with their financial 
management offices. OSDBU will place an emphasis on capabilities of the 
applicant's financial management staff. Additionally, a site visit may 
be required prior to award for those candidates that are being strongly 
considered. If necessary, a member of the OSDBU team will contact those 
candidates to schedule the site visits prior to the award of the 
agreement.
(D) Staff Capability and Experience (15 Points)
    The applicant organization must provide a list of proposed 
personnel for the project, with salaries, fringe benefit burden 
factors, educational levels and previous experience clearly delineated. 
The applicant's project team must be well-qualified, knowledgeable, and 
able to effectively serve the diverse and broad range of small 
businesses in their geographical region. The Executive Director and the 
Project Director shall be deemed key personnel. Detailed resumes must 
be submitted for all proposed key personnel and outside consultants and 
subcontractors. Proposed key personnel must have detailed demonstrated 
experience providing services similar in scope and nature to the 
proposed effort. The proposed Project Director will serve as the 
responsible individual for the program. 100% of the Project Director's 
time must be dedicated to the SBTRC. Both the Executive Director and 
the Project Director must be located on-site. In this element, OSDBU 
will consider the extent to which the applicant's proposed Staffing 
Plan; (a) clearly meets the education and experience requirements to 
accomplish the objectives of the cooperative agreement; (b) delineates 
staff responsibilities and accountability for all work required and; 
(c) presents a clear and feasible ability to execute the applicant's 
proposed approach and strategy.
(E) Cost Proposal (10 Points)
    Applicants must submit the total proposed cost of establishing and 
administering the SBTRC in the applicant's geographical region for a 12 
month period, inclusive of costs funded through alternative matching 
resources. The applicant's budget must be adequate to support the 
proposed strategy and costs must be reasonable in relation to project 
objectives. The portion of the submitted budget funded by OSDBU cannot 
exceed the ceiling outlined in Section 1.3: Description of Competition 
of this RFP per fiscal year. Applicants are encouraged to provide in-
kind costs and other innovative cost approaches.

4.2 Scoring of Applications

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

4.3 Conflicts of Interest

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

APPENDIX A

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

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

1. Table of Contents

    Identify all parts, sections and attachments of the application.

2. Application Summary

    Provide a summary overview of the following:
    <bullet> The applicant's proposed SBTRC region and city and key 
elements of the plan of action/strategy to achieve the SBTRC 
objectives.
    <bullet> The applicant's relevant organizational experience and 
capabilities.

3. Understanding of The Work

    Provide a narrative which contains specific project information 
as follows:
    <bullet> The applicant will describe its understanding of the 
OSDBU's SBTRC program mission and the role of the applicant's 
proposed SBTRC in advancing the program goals.
    <bullet> The applicant will describe specific outreach needs of 
transportation-related small businesses in the applicant's region 
and how the SBTRC will address the identified needs.

4. Approach and Strategy

    <bullet> Describe the applicant's plan of action/strategy for 
conducting the program in terms of the tasks to be performed.
    <bullet> Describe the specific services or activities to be 
performed and how these services/activities will be implemented.
    <bullet> Describe innovative and creative approaches to assist 
small businesses to become successful transportation contractors and 
increase their ability to access DOT contracting opportunities and 
financial assistance programs.
    <bullet> Estimated direct costs, other than labor, to execute 
the proposed strategy.

5. Linkages

    <bullet> Describe established relationships within the 
geographic region and demonstrate the ability to coordinate and 
establish effective networks with DOT grant recipients and local/
regional technical assistance agencies.
    <bullet> Describe the strategy to obtain support and 
collaboration on SBTRC activities from DOT grantees and recipients, 
transportation prime contractors and subcontractors, the SBA, U.S. 
Department of Commerce's Minority Business Development Centers 
(MBDCs), Service Corps of Retired Executives (SCORE), Procurement 
Technical Assistance Centers (PTACs), Small Business Development 
Centers (SBDCs), State DOTs, and State highway supportive services 
contractors.
    <bullet> Describe the outreach strategy related to the 
identified needs that can be successfully carried out within the 
period of this agreement and a plan for involving the Planning 
Committee in the execution of that strategy.

6. Organizational Capability

    <bullet> Describe recent and relevant past successful 
performance in addressing the needs of small businesses, 
particularly with respect to transportation-related small 
businesses.
    <bullet> Describe internal technical, financial management, and 
administrative resources.
    <bullet> Propose a plan for sufficient matching alternative 
financial resources to fund the general and administrative costs of 
the SBTRC.

7. Staff Capability and Experience

    <bullet> List proposed key personnel, their salaries and 
proposed fringe benefit factors.
    <bullet> Describe the education, qualifications and relevant 
experience of key personnel. Attach detailed resumes.
    <bullet> Proposed staffing plan. Describe how personnel are to 
be organized for the program and how they will be used to accomplish 
program objectives. Outline staff responsibilities, accountability 
and a schedule for conducting program tasks.

[[Page 6584]]

8. Cost Proposal

    <bullet> Outline the total proposed cost of establishing and 
administering the SBTRC in the applicant's geographical region for a 
12 month period, inclusive of costs funded through alternative 
matching resources. Clearly identify the portion of the costs funded 
by OSDBU.
    <bullet> Provide a brief narrative linking the cost proposal to 
the proposed strategy.

9. Proof of Tax Exempt Status

10. Assurances Signature Form

    Complete the attached Standard Form 424B ASSURANCES-NON-
CONSTRUCTION PROGRAMS identified as Attachment 1.

11. Certification Signature Forms

    Complete form DOTF2307-1 DRUG-FREE WORKPLACE ACT CERTIFICATION 
FOR a GRANTEE OTHER THAN AN INDIVIDUAL identified as attachment 2 
and Form DOTF2308-1 CERTIFICATION REGARDING LOBBYING FOR CONTRACTS, 
GRANTS, LOANS, AND COOPERATIVE AGREEMENTS identified as Attachment 
3.

Signed Conflict of Interest Statements

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

12. Standard Form 424

    Complete Standard Form 424 Application for Federal Assistance 
identified as Attachment 4.
    PLEASE BE SURE THAT ALL FORMS HAVE BEEN SIGNED BY AN AUTHORIZED 
OFFICIAL WHO CAN LEGALLY REPRESENT THE ORGANIZATION.

    Issued in Washington, DC, January 20, 2016.
Brandon Neal,
Director, Office of Small and Disadvantaged Business Utilization, 
Office of the Secretary, U.S. Department of Transportation.

[FR Doc. 2016-02368 Filed 2-5-16; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-9X-P


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