Federal Register / Vol. 73, No. 195 / Tuesday, October 7, 2008 / Notices 58555 

which the assessment rate is de 

minimis. See 19 CFR 351.106(c)(1). The 

final results of this review shall be the 

basis for the assessment of antidumping 

duties on entries of merchandise 

covered by the final results of this 

review and for future deposits of 

estimated duties, where applicable. 

The Department clarified its 

‘‘automatic assessment’’ regulation on 

May 6, 2003. See Antidumping and 

Countervailing Duty Proceedings: 

Assessment of Antidumping Duties, 68 

FR 23954 (May 6, 2003) (Assessment 

Policy Notice). This clarification will 

apply to entries of subject merchandise 

during the POR produced by companies 

included in these final results of review 

for which the reviewed companies did 

not know that the merchandise they 

sold to the intermediary (e.g., a reseller, 

trading company, or exporter) was 

destined for the United States. In such 

instances, we will instruct CBP to 

liquidate unreviewed entries at the allothers rate if there is no rate for the 

intermediary involved in the 

transaction. See Assessment Policy 

Notice for a full discussion of this 

clarification. 

Cash Deposit Requirements 

The following cash deposit 

requirements will be effective for all 

shipments of the subject merchandise 

entered, or withdrawn from warehouse, 

for consumption on or after the 

publication date of the final results of 

this administrative review, as provided 

by section 751(a)(2)(C) of the Act: (1) 

The cash deposit rate for each specific 

company listed above will be that 

established in the final results of this 

review, except if the rate is less than 

0.50 percent and, therefore, de minimis 

within the meaning of 19 CFR 

351.106(c)(1), in which case the cash 

deposit rate will be zero; (2) for 

previously reviewed or investigated 

companies not participating in this 

review, the cash deposit rate will 

continue to be the company-specific rate 

published for the most recent period; (3) 

if the exporter is not a firm covered in 

this review, or the original investigation, 

but the manufacturer is, the cash 

deposit rate will be the rate established 

for the most recent period for the 

manufacturer of the merchandise; and 

(4) the cash deposit rate for all other 

manufacturers or exporters will 

continue to be 3.91 percent, the allothers rate made effective by the 

investigation. See Lined Paper Order, 70 

FR at 5148. These deposit requirements, 

when imposed, shall remain in effect 

until further notice. 

Notification to Importers 

This notice also serves as a 

preliminary reminder to importers of 

their responsibility under 19 CFR 

351.402(f) to file a certificate regarding 

the reimbursement of antidumping 

duties prior to liquidation of the 

relevant entries during this review 

period. Failure to comply with this 

requirement could result in the 

Secretary’s presumption that 

reimbursement of antidumping duties 

occurred and the subsequent assessment 

of double antidumping duties. 

These preliminary results of review 

are issued and published in accordance 

with sections 751(a)(1) and 777(i)(1) of 

the Act. 

Dated: September 29, 2008. 

David M. Spooner, 

Assistant Secretary for Import 

Administration. 

[FR Doc. E8–23704 Filed 10–6–08; 8:45 am] 

BILLING CODE 3510–DS–P 

DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE 

Minority Business Development 

Agency 

[Docket No.: 0809301287–81291–01] 

Solicitation of Applications for the 

Minority Business Enterprise Center 

(MBEC) Program 

AGENCY: Minority Business 

Development Agency, Commerce. 

ACTION: Notice. 

SUMMARY: In accordance with 15 U.S.C. 

Section 1512 and Executive Order 

11625, the Minority Business 

Development Agency (MBDA) is 

soliciting competitive applications from 

organizations to operate a Minority 

Business Enterprise Center (MBEC) in 

Houston, TX. The MBEC operates 

through the use of business consultants 

and provides a range of business 

consulting and technical assistance 

services directly to eligible minorityowned businesses in the Houston-Sugar 

Land-Baytown, Texas Metropolitan 

Statistical Area (MSA). Responsibility 

for ensuring that applications in 

response to this competitive solicitation 

are complete and received by MBDA on 

time is the sole responsibility of the 

applicant. Applications submitted must 

be to operate a MBEC and to provide 

business consultation services to 

eligible clients. Applications that do not 

meet these requirements will be 

rejected. This is not a grant program to 

help start or to further an individual 

business. 

DATES: The closing date for receipt of 

applications is November 7, 2008 at 5 

p.m. Eastern Standard Time (EST). 

Completed applications must be 

received by MBDA at the address below 

for paper submissions or at http:// 

www.Grants.gov for electronic 

submissions. The due date and time is 

the same for electronic submissions as 

it is for paper submissions. The date 

that applications will be deemed to have 

been submitted electronically shall be 

the date and time received at 

Grants.gov. Applicants should save and 

print the proof of submission they 

receive from Grants.gov. Applications 

received after the closing date and time 

will not be considered. Anticipated time 

for processing is forty-five (45) days 

from the closing date for receipt of 

applications. MBDA anticipates that one 

award under this notice will be made 

with a start date of January 1, 2009. 

Pre-Application Conference: In 

connection with this solicitation, a preapplication teleconference will be held 

on October 21, 2008 at 1 p.m. Eastern 

Daylight Time (EDT). Participants must 

register at least 24 hours in advance of 

the teleconference and may participate 

in person or by telephone. Please visit 

the MBDA Internet Portal at http:// 

www.mbda.gov (MBDA Portal) or 

contact an MBDA representative listed 

below for registration instructions. 

ADDRESSES: (1a) Paper Submission—If 

Mailed: If the application is sent by 

postal mail or overnight delivery service 

by the applicant or its representative, 

one (1) signed original plus two (2) 

copies of the application must be 

submitted. Applicants are encouraged to 

also submit an electronic copy of the 

proposal, budget and budget narrative 

on a CD–ROM to facilitate the 

processing of applications. Complete 

application packages must be mailed to: 

Office of Business Development—MBEC 

Program, Office of Executive Secretariat, 

HCHB, Room 5063, Minority Business 

Development Agency, U.S. Department 

of Commerce, 1401 Constitution 

Avenue, NW., Washington, DC 20230. 

Applicants are advised that MBDA’s 

receipt of mail sent via the United States 

Postal Service may be substantially 

delayed or suspended in delivery due to 

security measures. Applicants may 

therefore wish to use a guaranteed 

overnight delivery service. Department 

of Commerce delivery policies for 

overnight delivery services require all 

packages to be sent to the address above. 

(1b) Paper Submission—If HandDelivered: If the application is handdelivered by the applicant or by its 

representative, one (1) signed original 

plus two (2) copies of the application 

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58556 Federal Register / Vol. 73, No. 195 / Tuesday, October 7, 2008 / Notices 

must be delivered. Applicants are 

encouraged to also submit an electronic 

copy of the proposal, budget and budget 

narrative on a CD–ROM to facilitate the 

processing of applications. Complete 

application packages must be delivered 

to: U.S. Department of Commerce, 

Minority Business Development 

Agency, Office of Business 

Development—MBEC Program 

(extension 1940), HCHB—Room 1874, 

Entrance #10, 15th Street, NW. (between 

Pennsylvania and Constitution 

Avenues), Washington, DC. MBDA will 

not accept applications that are 

submitted by the deadline, but that are 

rejected due to the applicant’s failure to 

adhere to Department of Commerce 

protocol for hand-deliveries. 

(2) Electronic Submission: Applicants 

are encouraged to submit their proposal 

electronically at http://www.Grants.gov. 

Electronic submissions should be made 

in accordance with the instructions 

available at Grants.gov (see http:// 

www.grants.gov/forapplicants for 

detailed information). MBDA strongly 

recommends that applicants not wait 

until the application deadline date to 

begin the application process through 

Grants.gov as, in some cases, the process 

for completing an online application 

may require 3–5 working days. 

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For 

further information or for an application 

package, please visit MBDA’s Minority 

Business Internet Portal at http:// 

www.mbda.gov. Paper applications may 

also be obtained by contacting the 

MBDA Office of Business Development 

or the MBDA National Enterprise Center 

(NEC) in the region in which the MBEC 

will be located (see below Agency 

Contacts). In addition, Standard Forms 

(SF) may be obtained by accessing 

http://www.whitehouse.gov/omb/grants 

or http://www.grants.gov and 

Department of Commerce (CD) forms 

may be accessed at http://www.doc.gov/ 

forms. 

Agency Contacts: 

1. MBDA Office of Business 

Development, 1401 Constitution 

Avenue, NW., Room 5075, Washington, 

DC 20230. Contact: Efrain Gonzalez, 

Chief, 202–482–1940. 

2. Dallas National Enterprise Center 

(DNEC), 1100 Commerce Street, Room 

726, Dallas, Texas, 75242. This region 

covers the states of Arkansas, Colorado, 

Louisiana, Montana, New Mexico, North 

Dakota, Oklahoma, South Dakota, Texas, 

Utah and Wyoming. Contact: John F. 

Iglehart, Regional Director, 214–767– 

8001. 

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

Background: The MBEC Program is a 

key component of MBDA’s overall 

minority business development 

assistance program and promotes the 

growth and competitiveness of eligible 

minority-owned businesses. MBEC 

operators leverage project staff and 

professional consultants to provide a 

wide-range of direct business assistance 

services to eligible minority-owned 

firms, including but not limited to 

initial consultations and assessments, 

business technical assistance, and 

access to federal and non-federal 

procurement and financing 

opportunities. MBDA currently funds a 

network of 33 MBEC projects located 

throughout the United States. Pursuant 

to this notice, competitive applications 

for new awards are being solicited for 

the MBEC project identified below. 

Pursuant to a grant competition held 

in 2006, MBDA made a three (3) year 

award for the operation of the Houston 

MBEC project for the period of January 

1, 2007–December 31, 2009. See 71 FR 

42352. However, the incumbent 

operator of the Houston MBEC intends 

to terminate the current award for the 

Houston MBEC project as of December 

31, 2008. The purpose of this 

competition is to find an operator for 

the Houston MBEC project as MBDA 

intends to maintain delivery of program 

services in this geographical area. The 

new award for the Houston MBEC 

project is expected to be made with a 

three (3) year award of January 1, 2009– 

December 31, 2011. 

Location and Geographical Service 

Area: MBDA is soliciting competitive 

applications from organizations to 

operate an MBEC in the following 

location and geographical service area: 

Name of MBEC Location of MBEC MBEC geographical service area ** 

Houston MBEC .................................................. Houston, TX ..................................................... Houston-Sugar Land-Baytown, TX MSA **. 

** Metropolitan Statistical Area, please see OMB Bulletin No.08–01, Update of Statistical Area Definitions and Guidance on Their Uses (November 20, 2007) at http://www.whitehouse.gov/omb/bulletins. 

Electronic Access: A link to the full 

text of the Announcement of Federal 

Funding Opportunity (FFO) for this 

solicitation may be accessed at: http:// 

www.Grants.gov, http://www.mbda.gov, 

or by contacting the appropriate MBDA 

representative identified above. The 

FFO contains a full and complete 

description of the requirements under 

the MBEC Program. In order to receive 

proper consideration, applicants must 

comply with all information and 

requirements contained in the FFO. 

Applicants will be able to access, 

download and submit electronic grant 

applications for the MBEC Program 

through http://www.Grants.gov. MBDA 

strongly recommends that applicants 

not wait until the application deadline 

date to begin the application process 

through Grants.gov as in some cases the 

process for completing an online 

application may require additional time 

(e.g., 3–5 working days). The date that 

applications will be deemed to have 

been submitted electronically shall be 

the date and time received at 

Grants.gov. Applicants should save and 

print the proof of submission they 

receive from Grants.gov. Applications 

received after the closing date and time 

will not be considered. 

Funding Priorities: Preference may be 

given during the selection process to 

applications which address the 

following MBDA funding priorities: 

(a) Proposals that include 

performance goals that exceed by 10% 

or more the minimum performance goal 

requirements in the FFO; 

(b) Applicants who demonstrate an 

exceptional ability to identify and work 

towards the elimination of barriers 

which limit the access of minority 

businesses to markets and capital; 

(c) Applicants who demonstrate an 

exceptional ability to identify and work 

with minority firms seeking to obtain 

large-scale contracts and/or insertion 

into supply chains with institutional 

customers; 

(d) Proposals that take a regional 

approach in providing services to 

eligible clients; or 

(e) Proposals from applicants with 

pre-existing or established operations in 

the identified geographic service area. 

Funding Availability: MBDA 

anticipates that approximately $291,000 

will be available in each of Fiscal Years 

(FYs) 2009–2011 to fund the financial 

assistance award for the Houston MBEC 

project. The total award period for the 

project is anticipated to be three (3) 

years and to cover the period January 1, 

2009–December 31, 2011. The 

anticipated level of Federal funding and 

the minimum non-federal matching 

share for the Houston MBEC project for 

each funding period is set forth in the 

below table (the actual award amount 

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Federal Register / Vol. 73, No. 195 / Tuesday, October 7, 2008 / Notices 58557 

may vary depending on the availability 

of appropriated funds and on MBDA 

and Department of Commerce 

priorities). 

Project name 

January 1, 2009 through 

December 31, 2009 

January 1, 2010 through 

December 31, 2010 

January 1, 2011 through 

December 31, 2011 

Total cost 

($) 

Federal 

share 

($) 

Non-Federal share 

($) 

(20% min.) 

Total cost 

($) 

Federal 

share 

($) 

Non-Federal share 

($) 

(20% min.) 

Total cost 

($) 

Federal 

share 

($) 

Non-Federal share 

($) 

(10% min.) 

Houston MBEC .......... $363,750 $291,000 $72,500 $363,750 $291,000 $72,500 $363,750 $291,000 $72,500 

Applicants must submit project plans 

and budgets for each of the three (3) 

funding periods under this award 

(January 1–December 31, 2009, January 

1–December 31, 2010 and January 1– 

December 31, 2011). Projects will 

initially be funded for the first funding 

period and will not have to compete for 

funding in the second and third funding 

periods. However, operators that fail to 

achieve a ‘‘Satisfactory’’ or better 

performance rating for the current 

funding period may be denied funding 

for subsequent funding periods. 

Recommendations for funding for 

subsequent funding periods are 

generally evaluated by MBDA based on 

a ‘‘Satisfactory’’ or better mid-year 

program performance rating (i.e., 

January 1, 20xx–June 30, 20xx) and/or a 

combination of a mid-year and 

cumulative third-quarter (i.e., January 1, 

20xx–September 30, 20xx) 

‘‘Satisfactory’’ or better performance 

rating for the current funding period. In 

making such funding recommendations, 

MBDA and the Department of 

Commerce will consider the facts and 

circumstances of each case, such as but 

not limited to market conditions, most 

recent performance of the operator and 

other mitigating circumstances. 

Funding for the program listed in this 

notice is contingent upon the 

availability of FY 2009 appropriations. 

MBDA issues this notice subject to the 

appropriations made available under the 

current continuing resolution, H.R. 

2638, ‘‘Consolidated Security, Disaster 

Assistance, and Continuing 

Appropriations Act, 2009,’’ Public Law 

110–329. 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 Department 

of Commerce or MBDA priorities. All 

funding periods under the award are 

subject to the availability of funds to 

support the continuation of the project. 

Publication of this FFO does not 

obligate the Department of Commerce or 

MBDA to award any specific 

cooperative agreement or to obligate all 

or any part of available funds. 

Authority: 15 U.S.C. Section 1512 and 

Executive Order 11625. 

Catalog of Federal Domestic 

Assistance (CFDA): 11.800, Minority 

Business Enterprise Centers. 

Eligibility: For-profit entities 

(including but not limited to soleproprietorships, partnerships, and 

corporations), non-profit organizations, 

state and local government entities, 

American Indian Tribes, and 

educational institutions are eligible to 

operate an MBEC. 

Program Description: MBDA is 

soliciting competitive applications from 

organizations to operate a Minority 

Business Enterprise Center (MBEC) 

(formerly known as Minority Business 

Development Centers). The MBEC will 

operate through the use of trained 

professional business consultants who 

will assist eligible minority 

entrepreneurs through direct client 

engagements. Entrepreneurs eligible for 

assistance under the MBEC Program are: 

African Americans, Puerto Ricans, 

Spanish-speaking Americans, Aleuts, 

Asian Pacific Americans, Native 

Americans (including Alaska Natives, 

Alaska Native Corporations and tribal 

entities), Eskimos, Asian Indians and 

Hasidic Jews. No service may be denied 

to any member of the eligible groups 

listed above. 

The MBEC Program generally requires 

project staff to provide standardized 

business assistance services directly to 

‘‘eligible minority owned firms,’’ with 

an emphasis on those firms with 

$500,000 or more in annual revenues 

and/or those eligible firms with ‘‘rapid 

growth potential’’ (‘‘Strategic Growth 

Initiative’’ or ‘‘SGI’’ firms); to develop 

and maintain a network of strategic 

partnerships; to provide collaborative 

consulting services with MBDA and 

other MBDA funded programs and 

strategic partners; and to provide 

referral services (as necessary) for client 

transactions. MBEC operators will assist 

eligible minority-owned firms in 

accessing federal and non-federal 

contracting and financing opportunities 

that result in demonstrable client 

outcomes. 

The MBEC Program incorporates an 

entrepreneurial approach to building 

market stability and improving the 

quality of client services. This 

entrepreneurial strategy expands the 

reach of the MBECs by requiring project 

operators to develop and build upon 

strategic alliances with public and 

private sector partners as a means of 

serving minority-owned firms within 

each MBEC’s geographical service area. 

The MBEC Program is also designed to 

effectively leverage MBDA resources, 

including but not limited to: MBDA 

Office of Business Development and 

MBDA National Enterprise Centers; 

MBDA’s Business Internet Portal; and 

MBDA’s nationwide network of MBECs, 

Native American Business Enterprise 

Centers (NABECs) and Minority 

Business Opportunity Centers (MBOCs). 

MBEC operators are also required to 

attend a variety of MBDA training 

programs designed to increase 

operational efficiencies and the 

provision of value-added client services. 

MBEC operators are generally 

required to provide the following four 

client services: (1) Client Assessment— 

this is a standardized service activity 

that includes identifying the client’s 

immediate and long-term needs and 

establishes a projected growth track; (2) 

Strategic Business Consulting—this 

involves providing intensive business 

consulting services that can be delivered 

as personalized consulting or group 

consulting; (3) Access to Capital—this 

assistance is designed to secure the 

financial capital necessary for client 

growth, and (4) Access to Markets—this 

involves assisting clients to identify and 

access opportunities for increased sales 

and revenues. 

Please refer to the FFO pertaining to 

this competitive solicitation for a full 

and complete description of the 

application and programmatic 

requirements under the MBEC Program. 

Match Requirements: The MBEC 

Program requires a minimum nonfederal cost share of 20%, which must 

be reflected in the proposed project 

budget. Non-federal cost share is the 

portion of the project cost not borne by 

the Federal Government. Applicants 

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must satisfy the non-federal cost sharing 

requirements in one or more of the 

following four means or any 

combination thereof: (1) Client fees; (2) 

applicant cash contributions; (3) 

applicant in-kind (i.e., non-cash) 

contributions; or (4) third-party in-kind 

contributions. The MBEC is required to 

charge client fees for services rendered 

and such fees must be used by the 

operator towards meeting the nonfederal cost share requirements under 

the award. Applicants will be awarded 

up to five bonus points to the extent that 

the proposed project budget includes a 

non-federal cost share contribution, 

measured as a percentage of the overall 

project budget, exceeding 20% (see 

Evaluation Criterion below). 

Evaluation Criterion: Proposals will 

be evaluated and one applicant may be 

selected based on the below evaluation 

criterion. The maximum total number of 

points that an application may receive 

is 105, including the bonus points for 

exceeding the minimum required nonfederal cost sharing, except when oral 

presentations are made by applicants. If 

oral presentations are made (see below: 

Oral Presentation—Optional), the 

maximum total of points that can be 

earned is 115. The number of points 

assigned to each evaluation criterion 

will be determined on a competitive 

basis by the MBDA review panel based 

on the quality of the application with 

respect to each evaluation criterion. 

1. Applicant Capability (40 Points) 

Proposals will be evaluated with 

respect to the applicant’s experience 

and expertise in providing the work 

requirements listed. Specifically, 

proposals will be evaluated as follows: 

(a) Community—Experience in and 

knowledge of the minority community, 

minority business sector, and strategies 

for enhancing its growth and expansion; 

particular emphasis shall be on 

expanding SGI firms. Consideration will 

be given as to whether the applicant has 

a physical presence in the geographic 

service area at the time of its application 

(4 points); 

(b) Business Consulting—Experience 

in and knowledge of business 

consulting with respect to minority 

firms, with emphasis on SGI firms in the 

geographic service area (5 points); 

(c) Financing—Experience in and 

knowledge of the preparation and 

formulation of successful financial 

transactions, with an emphasis on the 

geographic service area (5 points); 

(d) Procurements and Contracting— 

Experience in and knowledge of the 

public and private sector contracting 

opportunities for minority businesses, 

as well as demonstrated expertise in 

assisting clients into supply chains (5 

points); 

(e) Financing Networks—Resources 

and professional relationships within 

the corporate, banking and investment 

community that may be beneficial to 

minority-owned firms (5 points); 

(f) Establishment of a Self-Sustainable 

Service Model—Summary plan to 

establish a self-sustainable model for 

continued services to the MBE 

communities beyond the MBDA award 

period (3 points); 

(g) MBE Advocacy—Experience and 

expertise in advocating on behalf of 

minority communities and minority 

businesses, both as to specific 

transactions in which a minority 

business seeks to engage and as to broad 

market advocacy for the benefit of the 

minority community at large (3 points); 

and 

(h) Key Staff—Assessment of the 

qualifications, experience and proposed 

role of staff that will operate the MBEC. 

In particular, an assessment will be 

made to determine whether proposed 

key staff possess the expertise in 

utilizing information systems and the 

ability to successfully deliver program 

services. At a minimum the applicant 

must identify a proposed project 

director. (10 points). 

2. Resources (20 Points) 

The applicant’s proposal will be 

evaluated as followed: 

(a) Resources—Resources (not 

included as part of the non-federal cost 

share) that will be used in implementing 

the program, including but not limited 

to existing prior and/or current data lists 

that will serve in fostering immediate 

success for the MBEC (8 points); 

(b) Location—Assessment of the 

applicant’s strategic rationale for the 

proposed physical location of the 

MBEC. Applicant is encouraged to 

establish a location for the MBEC that is 

in a building which is separate and 

apart from any of the applicant’s 

existing offices in the geographic service 

area (2 points); 

(c) Partners—How the applicant plans 

to establish and maintain the network of 

strategic partners and the manner in 

which these partners will support the 

MBEC in meeting program performance 

goals (5 points); and 

(d) Equipment—How the applicant 

plans to satisfy the MBEC information 

technology requirements, including 

computer hardware, software 

requirements and network map (5 

points). 

3. Techniques and Methodologies (20 

Points) 

The applicant’s proposal will be 

evaluated as follows: 

(a) Performance Measures—For each 

funding period, the manner in which 

the applicant relates each performance 

measure to the financial information 

and market resources available in the 

geographic service area (including 

existing client list); how the applicant 

will create MBEC brand recognition 

(marketing plan); and how the applicant 

will satisfy program performance goals. 

In particular, emphasis may be placed 

on the manner in which the applicant 

matches MBEC performance goals with 

client service hours and how it accounts 

for existing market conditions in its 

strategy to achieve such goals (10 

points); 

(b) Start-up Phase—How the 

applicant will commence MBEC 

operations within the initial 30-day 

period. The MBEC shall have thirty (30) 

days to become fully operational after 

an award is made (3 points); and 

(c) Work Requirement Execution 

Plan—The applicant will be evaluated 

on how effectively and efficiently staff 

time will be used to achieve the work 

requirements, particularly with respect 

to periods beyond the start-up phase (7 

points). 

4. Proposed Budget and Budget 

Narrative (20 Points) 

The applicant’s proposal will be 

evaluated as follows: 

(a) Reasonableness, Allowability and 

Allocability of Proposed Program Costs. 

All of the proposed program costs 

expenditures should be discussed and 

the budget line-item narrative must 

match the proposed budget. Fringe 

benefits and other percentage item 

calculations should match the proposed 

budget line-item and narrative (5 

points); 

(b) Non-Federal Cost Share. The 

required 20% non-Federal share must 

be adequately addressed and properly 

documented, including but not limited 

to how client fees (if proposed) will be 

used by the applicant in meeting the 

non-federal cost-share (5 points); and 

(c) Performance-Based Budgeting. The 

extent to which the line-item budget 

and budget narrative relate to the 

accomplishment of the MBEC work 

requirements and performance measures 

(i.e., performance-based budgeting) (10 

points). 

Bonus for Non-Federal Cost Sharing 

(maximum of 5 points): Proposals with 

non-federal cost sharing exceeding 20% 

of the total project costs will be awarded 

bonus points on the following scale: 

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more than 20%—less than 25% = 1 

point; 25% or more—less than 30% = 2 

points; 30% or more—less than 35% = 

3 points; 35% or more—less than 40% 

= 4 points; and 40% or more = 5 points. 

Non-federal cost sharing of at least 20% 

is required under the MBEC Program. 

Non-federal cost sharing is the portion 

of the total project cost not borne by the 

Federal Government and may be met by 

the applicant in any one or more of the 

following four means (or a combination 

thereof): (1) client fees; (2) cash 

contributions; (3) non-cash applicant 

contributions; or, (4) third party in-kind 

contributions. 

5. Oral Presentation—Optional (10 

Points) 

Oral presentations are optional and 

held only when requested by MBDA. 

This action may be initiated for the top 

two (2) ranked applications. Oral 

presentations will be used to establish a 

final evaluation and ranking. 

The applicant’s presentation will be 

evaluated as to the extent to which the 

presentation demonstrates: 

(a) How the applicant will effectively 

and efficiently assist MBDA in the 

accomplishment of its mission (2 

points); 

(b) Business operating priorities 

designed to manage a successful MBEC 

(2 points); 

(c) A management philosophy that 

achieves an effective balance between 

micromanagement and complete 

autonomy for its Project Director (2 

points); 

(d) Robust search criteria for the 

identification of a Project Director (1 

point); 

(e) Effective employee recruitment 

and retention policies and procedures (1 

point); and 

(f) A competitive and innovative 

approach to exceeding performance 

requirements (2 points). 

Review and Selection Process 

1. Initial Screening 

Prior to the formal paneling process, 

each application will receive an initial 

screening to ensure that all required 

forms, signatures and documentation 

are present. An application will be 

considered non-responsive and will not 

be evaluated by the review panel if it is 

received after the closing date for 

receipt of applications, the applicant 

fails to submit an original, signed Form 

SF–424 by the application closing date 

(paper applications only), or the 

application does not provide for the 

operation of an MBEC. Other 

application deficiencies may be 

accounted for through point deductions 

during panel review. 

2. Panel Review 

Each application will receive an 

independent, objective review by a 

panel qualified to evaluate the 

applications submitted. The review 

panel will consist of at least 3 persons, 

all of whom will be full-time federal 

employees and at least one of whom 

will be an MBDA employee, who will 

review the applications for a specified 

project based on the above evaluation 

criterion. Each reviewer shall evaluate 

and provide a score for each proposal. 

Each project review panel (through the 

panel Chairperson) shall provide the 

MBDA National Director 

(Recommending Official) with a ranking 

of the applications based on the average 

of the reviewers’ scores and shall also 

provide a recommendation regarding 

funding of the highest scoring 

application. 

3. Oral Presentation—Upon MBDA 

Request 

MBDA may invite the two (2) topranked applicants to develop and 

provide an oral presentation. If an oral 

presentation is requested, the affected 

applicants will receive a formal 

communication (via standard mail, email or fax) from MBDA indicating the 

time and date for the presentation. Inperson presentations are not mandatory 

but are encouraged; telephonic 

presentations are acceptable. Applicants 

will be asked to submit a PowerPoint 

presentation (or equivalent) to MBDA 

that addresses the oral presentation 

criteria set forth above. The presentation 

must be submitted at least 24 hours 

before the scheduled date and time of 

the presentation. The presentation will 

be made to the MBDA National Director 

(or his/her designee) and up to three 

senior MBDA staff who did not serve on 

the original review panel. The oral 

panel members may ask follow-up 

questions after the presentation. MBDA 

will provide the teleconference dial-in 

number and pass code. Each applicant 

will present to MBDA staff only; 

competitors are not permitted to listen 

(and/or watch) other presentations. 

All costs pertaining to this 

presentation shall be borne by the 

applicant. MBEC award funds may not 

be used as a reimbursement for this 

presentation. MBDA will not accept any 

requests or petitions for reimbursement. 

The oral panel members shall score 

each presentation in accordance with 

the oral presentation criterion provided 

above. An average score shall be 

compiled and added to the score of the 

original panel review. 

4. Final Recommendation 

The MBDA National Director makes 

the final recommendation to the Grants 

Officer regarding the funding of one 

application under this competitive 

solicitation. MBDA expects to 

recommend for funding the highest 

ranking application, as evaluated and 

recommended by the review panel and 

taking into account oral presentations 

(as applicable). However, the MBDA 

National Director may not make any 

selection, or he/she may select an 

application out of rank order for the 

following reasons: 

(a) A determination that an 

application better addresses one or more 

of the funding priorities for this 

competition. The National Director (or 

his/her designee) reserves the right to 

conduct one or more site visits (subject 

to the availability of funding), in order 

to make a better assessment of an 

applicant’s capability to achieve the 

funding priorities; or 

(b) The availability of MBDA funding. 

Prior to making a final 

recommendation to the Grants Officer, 

MBDA may request that the apparent 

winner of the competition provide 

written clarifications (as necessary) 

regarding its application. 

Intergovernmental Review: 

Applications under this program are not 

subject to Executive Order 12372, 

‘‘Intergovernmental Review of Federal 

Programs.’’ 

Limitation of Liability: Funding for 

the program listed in this notice is 

contingent upon the availability of FY 

2009 appropriations. MBDA issues this 

notice subject to the appropriations 

made available under the current 

continuing resolution, H.R. 2638, 

‘‘Consolidated Security, Disaster 

Assistance, and Continuing 

Appropriations Act, 2009,’’ Public Law 

110–329. In no event will MBDA or the 

Department of Commerce be responsible 

for proposal preparation costs if the 

MBEC Program fails to receive funding 

or is cancelled because of Department of 

Commerce or MBDA priorities. All 

funding periods under the award are 

subject to the availability of funds to 

support the continuation of the project. 

Publication of this notice does not 

obligate MBDA or the Department of 

Commerce to award any specific project 

or to obligate any available funds. 

Universal Identifier: Applicants 

should be aware that they will be 

required to provide a Dun and 

Bradstreet Data Universal Numbering 

system (DUNS) number during the 

application process. See the June 27, 

2003 Federal Register notice (68 FR 

38402) for additional information. 

mstockstill on PROD1PC66 with NOTICES

58560 Federal Register / Vol. 73, No. 195 / Tuesday, October 7, 2008 / Notices 

Organizations can receive a DUNS 

number at no cost by calling the 

dedicated toll-free DUNS Number 

request line at 1–866–705–5711 or by 

accessing the Grants.gov Web site at 

http://www.Grants.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 

February 11, 2008 (73 FR 7696) are 

applicable to this solicitation. 

Paperwork Reduction Act: This 

document contains collection-ofinformation requirements subject to the 

Paperwork Reduction Act (PRA). 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. 

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 

and an opportunity for public comment 

are not required by the Administrative 

Procedure Act for rules concerning 

public property, loans, grants, benefits, 

or 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: October 2, 2008. 

Edith J. McCloud, 

Associate Director for Management, Minority 

Business Development Agency. 

[FR Doc. E8–23739 Filed 10–6–08; 8:45 am] 

BILLING CODE 3510–21–P 

DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE 

National Oceanic and Atmospheric 

Administration 

[Docket No. 0809261277–81278–01 I.D. 

GF001] 

Cooperative Institute for Satellite 

Climate Studies 

AGENCY: National Environmental 

Satellite Data and Information Service 

Program Office (NESDISPO), National 

Environmental Satellite Data and 

Information Service (NESDIS), National 

Oceanic and Atmospheric 

Administration (NOAA), Commerce. 

ACTION: Notice of funding availability. 

SUMMARY: NOAA National 

Environmental Satellite Data and 

Information Services (NESDIS) invites 

applications for a Cooperative Institute 

(CI) that will focus on (1) Climate and 

satellite research and applications, (2) 

climate and satellite observations and 

monitoring, and (3) climate research and 

modeling. Through this competition, 

NOAA intends to establish 

competitively a new CI according to the 

policy and procedures described in 

NOAA Administrative Order 216?107 

and the Cooperative Institute Interim 

Handbook both available at http:// 

www.nrc.noaa.gov/ci. The proposed CI 

should be composed of two or more 

member institutions (e.g., multiple 

universities). At least one research 

institution should be in Maryland, 

Washington DC or the adjacent states 

(Delaware, Pennsylvania, West Virginia 

and Virginia). At least two research 

institutions should be in North Carolina 

or the adjacent states (Virginia, 

Tennessee, South Carolina and Georgia), 

with a presence in Asheville, North 

Carolina. NOAA has identified three 

research themes that will address 

specific needs within the NOAA 

Mission Support Satellite Service 

program and the NOAA Climate Goal 

that would benefit from collaborations 

with the CI. The CI should possess 

outstanding capabilities to work in the 

three research themes summarized 

below, as well as possess the capability 

to conduct outreach and education 

activities in support of these research 

themes. I. Climate and Satellite 

Research and Applications: Research 

conducted under this theme is 

associated with the development of new 

and innovative uses of non-NOAA 

satellite assets that can ultimately be 

transitioned into NOAA operations to 

support climate information needs. This 

theme also includes performing research 

and development aimed at improving 

the utilization of long time series of 

satellite measurements that will offer 

NOAA scientists a homogeneous record 

of satellite radiances. II. Climate and 

Satellite Observations and Monitoring: 

Research conducted under this theme 

involves (1) Designing indices and 

applications that incorporate satellite 

observations to detect, monitor and 

investigate climatic changes and their 

impacts on coastal and open ocean 

ecosystems, (2) identifying and meeting 

the satellite climate needs of a wide 

variety of users, including research, 

business and industry, and government 

and private sector users, and (3) 

contributing significantly to climate 

reanalysis projects when satellite data is 

a key input. III. Climate Research and 

Modeling: Research conducted under 

this theme is focused on improving 

climate forecasts on mesoscale, regional 

and global scales when satellite data is 

a key input, and developing regional 

ecosystem models that can incorporate 

satellite observations to predict the 

impact of climate change on these 

ecosystems, particularly those located in 

the Mid-Atlantic region. The CI is also 

expected to play a significant role in 

National Centers for Environmental 

Prediction (NCEP) Climate Test Bed 

projects when satellite data is a key 

input. This announcement provides 

requirements for the proposed CI and 

includes details for the technical 

program, evaluation criteria, and 

competitive selection procedures. 

Applicants should review the NOAA CI 

Policy and CI Interim Handbook (both 

available at http://www.nrc.noaa.gov/ci) 

prior to preparing a proposal for this 

announcement. 

DATES: Proposals must be received by 

NESDIS no later than January 5, 2009 5 

p.m., E.T. Proposals submitted after that 

date will not be considered. 

ADDRESSES: The standard application 

package is available at http:// 

www.grants.gov. For applicants without 

Internet access, an application package 

may be received by contacting Ingrid 

Guch, NOAA/NESDIS, 5200 Auth Road, 

Room 701, Camp Springs, Maryland 

20746. Applicants are strongly 

encouraged to apply online through the 

Grants.gov website. Paper submissons 

are only acceptable only if internet 

access is not available. Grants.gov 

requires applicants to register with the 

system prior to submitting an 

application. This registration process 

can take several weeks, involving 

multiple steps. In order to allow 

sufficient time for this process, you 

should register as soon as you decide 

that you intend to apply, even if you are 

not yet ready to submit your proposal. 

If an applicant has problems 

mstockstill on PROD1PC66 with NOTICES