[Federal Register Volume 75, Number 186 (Monday, September 27, 2010)]
[Notices]
[Pages 59228-59233]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2010-24164]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

Minority Business Development Agency

[Docket No.: 100914450-0452-02]


Solicitation of Applications for the MBDA Business Center (MBC) 
Program

AGENCY: Minority Business Development Agency, Commerce.

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: The Minority Business Development Agency (MBDA) is soliciting 
competitive applications from organizations to operate a MBDA Business 
Center (MBC). This notice specifies the thirty (30) MBC projects and 
their respective locations are being individually competed. The MBC 
program delivers strategic business consulting services to eligible 
minority business enterprise (MBE) clients through the use of business 
consultants and the leveraging of strategic partnerships. 
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 for the operation of a MBC and to provide business consulting 
services to eligible MBEs. 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.
    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, or at http://www.mbda.gov. The FFO contains a full and 
complete description of the application and programmatic requirements 
under the MBC Program. In order to receive proper consideration, 
applicants must comply with the requirements contained in the FFO.

DATES: The closing date for receipt of applications is November 10, 
2010 at 5 p.m. Eastern Standard Time (EST). Complete applications must 
be submitted electronically through http://www.Grants.gov. The date 
that applications will be deemed to have been submitted electronically 
shall be the date and time received by www.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 approximately one 
hundred-forty (140) days from the closing date for receipt of 
applications. MBDA anticipates that awards made pursuant to this notice 
will be made with a start date of April 1, 2011.
    Pre-Application Conference: In connection with this solicitation, 
two pre-application conferences are scheduled for October 20 and 25, 
2010. The time and location of the pre-application conference have yet 
to be determined. Participants must register at least 24 hours in 
advance of the conference 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 the 
specific time and location of the pre-application conference and for 
registration instructions.

ADDRESSES: Applicants are required to submit their proposal 
electronically through http://www.Grants.gov. MBDA will not accept 
hard-copy, facsimile or email transmissions of applications.
    Electronic submissions should be made in accordance with the 
instructions available at Grants.gov (see http://www.grants.gov/applicants/resources.jsp for detailed information). Applicants should 
register as organizations, not as individuals. As part of the 
registration process the person submitting the application must be 
registered as an Authorized Organizational Representative (AOR) of the 
organization. AORs registered at http://www.Grants.gov are the only 
officials with the authority to submit applications at http://www.Grants.gov. If the application is submitted by anyone other than 
the organization's AOR it will be rejected and cannot be considered for 
the competition. Note that a given organization may designate multiple 
individuals as AORs for purposes of http://www.Grants.gov purposes. 
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. Before beginning to apply through http://www.Grants.gov, please review fully the application instructions posted 
at http://www.Grants.gov and in Section IV. of the FFO.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For further information, please visit 
MBDA's Minority Business Internet Portal at http://www.mbda.gov.
    Agency Contacts: MBDA Office of Business Development, 1401 
Constitution Avenue, NW., Room 5085, Washington, DC 20230. Contact: Ms. 
Rita Gonzales, Program Manager, 202-482-1940.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

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

    Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance (CFDA): 11.805, MBDA 
Business Center.
    Program Description: The MBC program is a key component of MBDA's 
overall portfolio of minority business development services, focusing 
on securing large public and/or private contracts and financing 
transactions, stimulating job creation and facilitating entry to global 
markets for ``eligible minority-owned businesses.'' For this

[[Page 59229]]

purpose, business concerns that are owned or controlled by the 
following persons or groups of persons are eligible to receive business 
assistance services under the MBC Program: African Americans, Hispanic 
Americans, Asian and Pacific Islander Americans, Native Americans 
(including Alaska Natives, Alaska Native Corporations and Tribal 
entities), Asian Indian Americans and Hasidic Jewish Americans. See 15 
CFR 1400.1-.2 and Executive Order 11625.
    The primary drivers of the MBDA MBC program are job creation and 
retention and the award of procurement/contract and financial 
transactions to MBEs. The MBCs provide services including, but not 
limited to, the development of a pool of contract and finance 
opportunities; direct matching of opportunities with qualified/vetted 
MBEs; execution of relationship management and deal sourcing 
initiatives (such as but not limited to industry clusters); assisting 
MBEs in accessing global market opportunities and financing; 
identification and securing of alternative sources of capital for MBEs; 
promotion of the advantages of achieving size and scale; educating MBEs 
on the benefits of strategic growth alternatives (i.e. mergers, 
acquisitions and/or joint ventures); and provision of service referrals 
to MBEs of all sizes.
    Through the cooperative agreements expected to be awarded under 
this funding opportunity, MBDA seeks to establish a national network of 
public-private partnerships that will provide services aimed at 
increasing the probability of significant growth for minority-owned 
firms. MBC and MBDA staff will work collaboratively to improve access 
to market and financial opportunities (domestic and global), foster key 
industry relationships, and leverage business expertise. Operators of 
MBC projects will work with the Agency and its network of funded 
centers to support and enhance the Agency's initiatives, performance, 
brand, reach, customer service and establishment of strategic partners.
    MBC services are targeted towards assisting MBE clients achieve 
higher levels of growth and competitiveness. Start-up and/or micro 
firms will be served by the MBC program via strategic partnership 
referrals or electronic service delivery mechanisms (e.g., MBDA 
Business Portal). While the MBC program serves all MBEs, target clients 
include eligible MBEs with one or both of the following 
characteristics: (1) Annual revenues of over $1,000,000 or (2) 
participant in a high-growth industry (e.g., green technology, clean 
energy, health care, infrastructure and broadband technology, among 
others). Promoting the success of MBEs is anticipated to have a 
significant impact on employment and the tax base in their communities.
    The MBC program generally requires project staff to: (1) Directly 
provide high-level business development services to eligible MBEs; (2) 
develop and maintain a network of strategic partnerships; (3) provide 
collaborative consulting services with MBDA, other MBDA funded programs 
and strategic partners; and (4) provide referral services to clients. 
The MBCs will assist eligible MBEs in accessing federal and non-federal 
contracting and financing opportunities (domestically and globally) 
that result in demonstrable client outcomes and job creation/retention.
    Successful applicants will possess experience in assisting 
minority-owned firms in obtaining large scale procurements/contracts 
and financing awards; accessing established supply chains; educating 
and assisting minority firms in joint ventures, teaming arrangements, 
mergers and acquisitions; and facilitating entry and large scale 
transactions in global markets. It is also anticipated that the mission 
of successful applicant organizations will align with both the mission 
of MBDA and the MBC program objectives.
    Please refer to the FFO pertaining to this competitive solicitation 
for a full and complete description of the application and programmatic 
requirements under the MBC Program.
    Funding Availability: MBDA anticipates a total of $8.7 million in 
FY 2011 funds will be available to fund the financial assistance awards 
for the MBC projects identified in this FFO. The Agency also 
anticipates that $8.7 million will be available in FY 2012 through FY 
2015 to support continuation funding for this program. The total award 
period for awards made under this competitive solicitation is 
anticipated to be five years and all awards are expected to be made 
with a start date of April 1, 2011.
    FY 2011 funding for this program has not yet been appropriated and 
the funding periods and funding amounts referenced in this solicitation 
are subject to the availability of funds, as well as to Department of 
Commerce and MBDA priorities at the time of award. In no event will the 
Department of Commerce or MBDA be responsible for proposal preparation 
costs. Publication of this notice 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.
    Pursuant to this notice, and as set forth more fully in the 
corresponding FFO, competitive applications for new awards are being 
solicited for the thirty (30) MBC projects in the respective locations 
identified in the below table. The anticipated amount of the financial 
assistance award for each MBC project is also set forth below, although 
actual award amounts may vary depending on the availability of funds:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                               Federal
 MBDA National Enterprise Center     MBC location (state,      funding
     (NEC or Regional Office)                city)            years 1-5
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Atlanta NEC
                                   Alabama--Mobile.........     $230,000
                                   Florida--Orlando........      230,000
                                   Florida--Miami..........      332,112
                                   Mississippi--Biloxi.....      250,000
                                   Georgia--Atlanta........      250,000
                                   North Carolina--Raleigh.      250,000
                                   South Carolina--Columbia      250,000
Chicago NEC
                                   Illinois--Chicago.......      590,400
                                   Indiana--Indianapolis...      225,000
                                   Michigan--Detroit.......      290,000
                                   Ohio--Cleveland.........      225,000
                                   Wisconsin--Milwaukee....      225,000
Dallas NEC
                                   Colorado--Denver........      243,359

[[Page 59230]]

 
                                   New Mexico--Albuquerque.      237,957
                                   Texas--Dallas...........      295,238
                                   Texas--El Paso..........      228,378
                                   Texas--San Antonio......      242,490
New York NEC
                                   New York--Manhattan.....      500,000
                                   New York--Queens........      275,000
                                   New York--Williamsburg..      291,000
                                   Pennsylvania--Philadelph      275,000
                                    ia.
                                   Puerto Rico*............      241,000
                                   Maryland, Washington,         301,000
                                    DC, Virginia*.
San Francisco NEC
                                   Arizona*................      290,000
                                   California--Inland            355,000
                                    Empire.
                                   California--Los Angeles.      365,000
                                   California--Northern*...      365,000
                                   Hawaii*.................      295,500
                                   Nevada*.................      270,000
                                   Washington*.............      270,000
------------------------------------------------------------------------
* Applicants are required to identify the city where the MBC project
  would be physically located along with a justification for the
  proposed placement.

    The award period for projects funded under the solicitation is 
anticipated to be five (5) years, with five consecutive annual funding 
periods. Applicants must submit project plans and budgets for each of 
the five (5) funding periods under this award (April 1, 2011-March 31, 
2012, April 1, 2012-March 31, 2013, April 1, 2013-March 31, 2014, April 
1, 2014-March 31, 2015 and April 1, 2015-March 31, 2016). Projects will 
initially be funded for the first year of the award. A project operator 
will not compete for funding in years two through five, as long as the 
center is operating at a ``Commendable'' or ``Outstanding'' performance 
level at the time during the current program year that MBDA determines 
its recommendations to the Grants Officer for continuation funding for 
the next program year. A project that achieves a performance rating of 
``Good'' or lower will not qualify for automatic renewal, but rather 
will be eligible for negotiation of award terms and conditions for the 
next funding period at the discretion of MBDA, subject to the approval 
of the Grants Officer.
    In this respect, recommendations for continuation funding are 
generally evaluated by MBDA based on the mid-year performance rating 
and/or a combination of the mid-year and cumulative third quarter 
performance ratings for the current program year. In making such 
continued funding determinations, MBDA and the Department of Commerce 
will consider all the facts and circumstances of each case, such as, 
but not limited to, market conditions, most recent performance of the 
project and other mitigating circumstances.
    Electronic Access: Applicants will be able to access, download and 
submit electronic grant applications for the MBC 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 must save and print the proof of submission they receive 
from Grants.gov. Applications received after the closing date and time 
will not be considered.
    Program Priorities: Preference may be given during the selection 
process to applications that effectively address one or more of the 
following MBDA program priorities:
    (a) Applicants who demonstrate experience in assisting MBEs in 
obtaining large scale contracts and financing awards and accessing 
established supply chains;
    (b) Applicants who demonstrate a record of facilitating large scale 
transactions for MBEs in global markets, or facilitating entry into 
global markets;
    (c) Applicants who demonstrate a record of assisting MBEs in joint 
ventures, teaming arrangements, mergers and acquisitions;
    (d) Applicants who demonstrate a track record of successfully 
partnering and collaborating with third-party entities for the benefit 
of MBEs;
    (e) Applicants who demonstrate experience working with MBEs in 
high-growth industries;
    (f) Applicants who demonstrate the capacity and willingness to 
assist MBEs in identifying and accessing federal procurement 
opportunities, either directly or via partnerships;
    (g) Proposals that direct 80% or more of the federal funding for 
the project towards direct business consulting staff costs (i.e., 
direct consulting staff salaries and fringe benefits, travel costs and 
training costs); and
    (h) Applicants who propose innovative additions to the MBC program 
that significantly enhance their opportunity to be successful (See 
Appendix F of the FFO for samples of possible additions that can be 
developed, enhanced and proposed by applicants).
    Eligibility Criteria: For-profit entities (including but not 
limited to sole-proprietorships, partnerships, and corporations), non-
profit organizations, state and local government entities, American 
Indian Tribes, and educational institutions are eligible to operate 
MBCs.
    Match Requirements: There is no predefined minimum or maximum 
amount of required non-federal cost sharing under the MBC program. 
However, as discussed below, non-federal cost sharing through the 
generation of ``program income'' is mandatory. Non-federal cost share 
is the portion of the total project costs not borne by the Federal 
Government.
    The MBC program is a fee-for-service program and MBC operators are 
required to generate ``program income'' through the collection of 
client fees,

[[Page 59231]]

membership fees, success fees and/or other fee structures proposed by 
the applicant. All proposed fee structures must be acceptable to MBDA 
and approved by the Grants Officer. Program income generated by the MBC 
project must be applied directly to the award's non-federal cost share 
and must be used in furtherance of program objectives. See the 
``Program Income'' discussion in Section III.B, Non-Federal Cost Share 
Requirement, of the FFO as well as the Proposed Budget and Narrative 
portion of Section IV.B. of the FFO for additional information on this 
requirement.
    Beyond the required generation of program income, applicants may 
contribute additional non-federal cost share to the award by one or 
more of the following methods: (1) Applicant cash contributions; (2) 
applicant in-kind (i.e., non-cash) contributions; or, (3) third-party 
cash or in-kind contributions (including a state or local grant or 
other form of support for the project).
    Evaluation Criteria: Applications will be evaluated and applicants 
will be selected based on the below evaluation criterion. The maximum 
total number of points that an applicant may receive is 110, including: 
(1) 90 points under the Program Narrative component; (2) 10 points 
under Budget and Budget narrative component; and (3) 10 bonus points 
under the optional Service Innovation component. 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.
    Program Narrative:
    1. Applicant Capability (30 points total).
    <bullet> Organizational Background and Knowledge of Community (5 
points maximum): Applicant's organizational background, emphasizing 
knowledge of the minority business sector and strategies for enhancing 
its growth and expansion. Consideration will be given as to whether the 
applicant has a physical presence in the applicable location and past 
experience providing related services.
    <bullet> Mission Alignment (5 points maximum): The extent to which 
the mission of the applicant organization aligns with the mission of 
MBDA and the objectives of the MBC program.
    <bullet> Access to Markets (5 points maximum): Applicant's 
knowledge of and experience in public and private sector contracting 
opportunities for MBEs, as well as demonstrated experience in assisting 
clients into supply chains. The applicant's professional working 
relationships and networks with potential sources of contracts for MBEs 
will also be considered. Additionally, the applicant's experience with 
facilitating large procurement/contract deals on behalf of MBEs, 
conducting business matchmaking forums, and assisting MBEs with the 
establishment of joint ventures and teaming arrangements will be 
considered.
    <bullet> Access to Capital (5 points maximum): Applicant experience 
in successfully preparing and matching MBEs with traditional sources of 
capital, alternative sources of financing (i.e., equity and venture 
capital), loan and bonding packages, and mergers and acquisitions. The 
applicant's professional working relationships and networks with 
financial institutions (corporate, banking and investment communities) 
will also be considered.
    <bullet> Business Consulting to Clients (5 points maximum): The 
applicant's experience with and strategies for enhancing minority 
business growth and delivery of business consulting services and 
related successful client outcomes.
    <bullet> Key Staff (5 points maximum): Qualifications and 
experience of proposed key staff, including but not limited to the 
Project Director and business consultants. The Applicant's plan for 
recruiting staff will also be considered.
    2. Resources (30 points total).
    <bullet> Partners (10 points maximum): The applicant's plan for 
establishing and maintaining a network of strategic partners and the 
extent to which each partner will support the MBC in implementing the 
program and meeting program performance goals will be a consideration. 
Whether the partnerships will be leveraged towards assisting clients 
with securing contracts, securing financing, job creation, penetrating 
global markets, achieving size and scale, or providing referrals for 
services will also be considered. Additionally, how the applicant will 
interact and coordinate with its strategic partners towards effecting 
successful client outcomes will be considered.
    <bullet> Resources (10 points maximum): Resources that will be used 
in implementing the program in each of the five program years will be 
considered. Resources include, but are not limited to, existing prior 
and/or current data lists that will serve in fostering immediate 
success for the MBC.
    <bullet> Location/Equipment (10 points maximum): The applicant's 
strategic rationale for the proposed MBC office (the center location 
must be close to private and public sector resources and potential 
clients, and be professional in appearance). The applicant's plan for 
satisfying the MBC information technology requirements, including 
computer hardware, software requirements, creation and support of an 
MBC website and network map (see Appendix C, Information Technology and 
Computer Requirements, of the FFO) will also be considered.
    3. Techniques and Methodologies (30 points total)
    <bullet> Performance Measures (10 points maximum): For each of the 
five (5) funding periods, the applicant's techniques and methodology to 
be used in implementing the program will be considered, including the 
quarterly breakdown of the performance goals. Additionally, the 
applicant's recognition of and strategy for addressing existing market 
conditions in achieving its proposed performance goals will also be 
considered. Additionally, how the applicant proposes to establish a 
system that corresponds to, or may compliment, MBDA's tracking and 
validation of contracts and financings will be considered. (See 
Suggested Performance Goals for each MBC location are listed in 
Appendix B, Suggested Performance Goals by Center Location, of the 
FFO.) Please note that deviations, either above or below, from the 
Suggested Performance Goals require justification.
    <bullet> Start-up Phase (10 points maximum): The applicant's 
strategic plan for commencement of the MBC operations within the 
initial 60-day period (the MBC shall have sixty (60) days to become 
fully operational after an award is made--see Section I.A.4., 
Operational and Performance Requirements, of the FFO) will be 
considered. Please note that the applicant must submit a schedule with 
significant implementation milestones, such as the hiring of key staff 
and the opening of the MBC facility.
    <bullet> Work Requirements Execution Plan (10 points maximum): The 
applicant's description for how staff time will be used effectively and 
efficiently to achieve the work requirements of the overall program 
including the start-up phase will be considered. Please note that the 
applicant must include a specific five-year plan-of-action detailing 
how the MBC work requirements will be met for each of the five (5) 
funding periods. (See ``Program Details and Work Requirements'' in 
Section I.A.4 of the FFO.) A staff allocation chart for each of the 
five (5) years must also be included as part of the work requirements 
execution plan.
    Budget and Budget Narrative:

[[Page 59232]]

    1. Reasonableness, Allowability and Allocability of Proposed 
Program Costs (5 points maximum).
    All of the proposed program costs expenditures should be broken 
down into their individual units and discussed. The budget narrative 
must match the proposed line item budget. Fringe benefits and other 
percentage item calculations should match the proposed budget line-item 
and narrative. Line item amounts in the detailed budget and budget 
narrative must match the budget numbers reflected in Standard Form (SF) 
424 (one for all five years) and 424A (one for each of the five years).
    All costs included in the proposed budget must be allowable, 
allocable and reasonable. Each item of cost must be accompanied by a 
sufficiently detailed description and cost breakdown to enable 
reviewers to make a determination regarding its allowability, 
allocability and reasonableness. One word descriptions and lump sum 
amounts are not adequate for justifying costs. Each budget item should 
be broken out and described fully so that there is no ambiguity as to 
its relevance to MBC program objectives and its reasonableness. The 
following Office of Management and Budget (OMB) Circulars and Federal 
Acquisition Regulations (depending on the type of recipient) will be 
used to determine allowable costs, and will apply to the entire amount 
of the MBC award, including both the federal and non-federal program 
costs:
    <bullet> 2 CFR part 220 (OMB Circular A-21, ``Cost Principles for 
Educational Organizations'');
    <bullet> 2 CFR part 225 (OMB Circular A-87, ``Cost Principles for 
State, Local and Indian Tribal Governments'');
    <bullet> 2 CFR part 230 (OMB Circular A-122, ``Cost Principles for 
Nonprofit Organizations''); and
    <bullet> 48 CFR part 31 for commercial organizations and for those 
organizations listed in Appendix C to 2 CFR part 230.
    2. Performance-Based Budgeting (5 points maximum).
    The extent to which the line-item budget and budget narrative 
relate to the accomplishment of the MBC work requirements and 
performance measures (i.e., performance-based budgeting) will be 
considered. The budget will be compared to the program narrative to 
determine whether the budget is realistic from a programmatic 
perspective and whether costs are necessary to complete the work 
requirements. Costs included in the budget that are determined to be 
unrealistic will be considered as an indication of an applicant's lack 
of understanding of the requirements of the MBC program and/or the 
methods that must be utilized to deliver services. Program Income 
(i.e., client fees, membership fees, success fees, and/or other 
acceptable fee structures proposed) must be adequately addressed and 
properly documented, including but not limited to how the proceeds will 
be billed, collected, waived and used by the applicant in furthering 
the program objectives.
    Service Innovation (Optional)--Bonus Points (10 points maximum):
    Bonus points may be awarded to an applicant proposing innovative 
MBE services that enhance the required MBC program scope. This 
component is optional and any service(s) proposed under the ``Service 
Innovation'' is in addition to the core MBC services (see ``Program 
Details and Work Requirements'' in Section I.A.4, of the FFO). Proposed 
innovations cannot be used as a substitute or otherwise in lieu of the 
defined MBC program and service requirements.
    An applicant proposing a ``Service Innovation'' must fully describe 
the aspects of any innovative addition(s) to the work requirements that 
the applicant will implement. Some examples have been provided in 
Appendix F--Sample Innovation Concepts, of the FFO. Applicants are not 
required to utilize these examples. MBDA encourages any innovative 
solutions; however, proposed ideas (including the stated examples) must 
be fully developed and articulated, including their processes and 
anticipated results.

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 authorized organizational representative (AOR) fails to 
submit Standard Form 424 by the application closing date, or the 
application does not provide for the operation of a MBC. Note, AOR 
substitutions require approximately ten (10) working days to be 
processed by www.Grants.gov. Other application deficiencies will be 
accounted for during panel review and may result in point deductions.

2. MBDA Merit Review Panel

    Each responsive application will receive an independent, merit 
review by a panel qualified to evaluate the applications submitted. The 
review panel will consist of at least three (3) individuals, all of 
whom are 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 published 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 
Selecting Official with a ranking of the applications based on the 
average of the reviewers' scores.

3. MBDA Regional Director Review

    The MBDA Regional Director will review panel recommendations and 
submitted applications for MBC projects located within the geographical 
area served by his/her National Enterprise Center (NEC) (sometimes 
referred to as an MBDA Regional Office). Responsibility for the NEC 
review will reside with the Regional Director.
    The applicable MBDA Regional Director will review the panel 
recommendation and submitted applications and provide a written 
memorandum to the MBDA Selecting Official either indicating his/her 
concurrence with the recommendation of the panel or making an alternate 
recommendation for selection out of rank order. Any recommendation by 
the Regional Director for selection out of rank order must be justified 
based on one or more of the MBDA Program Priorities outlined in the 
FFO.
    The panel recommendation, together with Regional Director's 
recommendation, will be provided to the MBDA Selecting Official for 
consideration in making the final award recommendation to the Grants 
Officer.

4. Final Selection and Recommendation for Funding

    The MBDA National Director is the Selecting Official and makes the 
final recommendation to the Grants Officer regarding the funding of 
applications under this competitive solicitation. MBDA expects to 
recommend funding of the highest ranked applicant for each of the MBC 
projects being competed (only one award will be made for each project), 
as evaluated and recommended by the review panel and taking into 
account results of the respective MBDA Regional Director's review. 
However, the MBDA National Director may decide not to select any of the 
recommended applications, or may select an applicant

[[Page 59233]]

out of rank order, for either of the following reasons:
    (a) A determination that a lower ranked applicant better addresses 
one or more of the program priorities set forth in the FFO. The 
National Director (or his/her designee) reserves the right to conduct 
one or more site visits, in order to make a better assessment of an 
applicant's capability to achieve the program priorities; or
    (b) The availability of MBDA funding. Prior to making a final 
recommendation for funding to the Grants Officer, MBDA may conduct 
negotiations with an applicant that Selecting Official anticipates 
recommending and/or request that the applicant provide written 
clarifications regarding its application.
    Intergovernmental Review: Applications under this program are not 
subject to Executive Order 12372, ``Intergovernmental Review of Federal 
Programs.''
    Limitation of Liability: In no event will MBDA or the Department of 
Commerce be responsible for proposal preparation. 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. FY 2011 funds have not yet 
been appropriated for the MBC program.
    Universal Identifier: All applicants 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. 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-of-
information requirements subject to the Paperwork Reduction Act (PRA). 
The use of the MBDA Performance Online Database and of Standard Forms 
424, 424A, 424B, SF-LLL, and CD-346 have been approved by the Office of 
Management and Budget (OMB) under the respective control numbers 0640-
0002, 4040-0004, 4040-0006, 4040-0007, 0348-0046 and 0605-0001. 
Notwithstanding any other provisions of the law, no person is required 
to respond to, nor shall any person be subject to penalty for failure 
to comply with, a collection of information subject to the requirements 
of the PRA, unless that collection of information 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: September 22, 2010.
Alejandra Y. Castillo,
Deputy National Director, Minority Business Development Agency.
[FR Doc. 2010-24164 Filed 9-24-10; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-21-P