[Federal Register Volume 59, Number 28 (Thursday, February 10, 1994)]
[Unknown Section]
[Page 0]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 94-3101]


[[Page Unknown]]

[Federal Register: February 10, 1994]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
Minority Business Development Agency

 

Business Development Center Applications: Newark/Jersey City 
(Service Area)

AGENCY: Minority Business Development Agency, Commerce.

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: In accordance with Executive Order 11625, and 15 U.S.C. 1512, 
the Minority Business Development Agency (MBDA) is soliciting 
competitive applications under its Minority Business Development Center 
(MBDC) program. The total cost of performance for the first budget 
period (12 months) from July 1, 1994 to June 30, 1995 is estimated at 
$521,516. The total Federal Amount is $443,289 and is composed of 
$432,477 plus the Audit Fee Amount of $10,812. The application must 
include a minimum cost share of 15% ($78,227 of the total project cost 
through non-Federal contributions. Cost-sharing contributions may be in 
the form of cash contributions, client fees, in-kind contributions or 
combinations thereof. The MBDC will operate in the Newark/Jersey City, 
N.J. geographic service area.
    The funding instrument for the MBDC will be a cooperative 
agreement. Competition is open to individuals, non-profit and for-
profit organizations, state, and local governments, American Indian 
tribes and educational institutions.
    The MBDC Program provides business development services to the 
minority business community to help establish and maintain viable 
minority businesses. To this end, MBDA funds organizations to identify 
and coordinate public and private sector resources on behalf of 
minority individuals and firms; to offer a full range of management and 
technical assistance to minority entrepreneurs; and to serve as a 
conduit of information and assistance regarding minority business.
    Applications will be evaluated on the following criteria: the 
experience and capabilities of the firm and its staff in addressing the 
needs of the business community in general and, specifically, the 
special needs of minority businesses, individuals and organizations (50 
points); the resources available to the firm in providing business 
development services (10 points); the firm's approach (techniques and 
methodologies) to performing the work requirements included in the 
application (20 points); and the firm's estimated cost for providing 
such assistance (20 points).
    An application must receive at least 70% of the points assigned to 
each evaluation criteria category to be considered programmatically 
acceptable and responsive. Those applications determined to be 
acceptable and responsive will then be evaluated by the Director of 
MBDA. Final award selections shall be based on the number of points 
received, the demonstrated responsibility of the applicant, and the 
determination of those most likely to further the purpose of the MBDA 
program. Negative audit findings and recommendations and unsatisfactory 
performance under prior Federal Awards may result in an application not 
being considered for award. The applicant with the highest point score 
will not necessarily receive the award.
    MBDCs shall be required to contribute at least 15% of the total 
project cost through non-Federal contributions. To assist them in this 
effort, MBDCs may charge client fees for management and technical 
assistance (M&TA) rendered. Based on a standard rate of $50 per hour, 
MBDCs will charge client fees at 20% of the total cost for firms with 
gross sales of $500,000 or less, and 35% of the total cost for firms 
with gross sales of over $500,000.
    Quarterly reviews culminating in year-to-date evaluations will be 
conducted to determine if funding for the project should continue. 
Continued funding will be at the total discretion of MBDA based on such 
factors as the MBDC's performance, the availability of funds and Agency 
priorities.

DATES: The closing date for applications is March 11, 1994. 
Applications must be postmarked on or before March 11, 1994. The 
mailing address for submission is:

ADDRESSES: New York Regional Office, Minority Business Development 
Agency, Jacob K. Javits Federal Building, room-3720, New York, New York 
10278. (Area Code & Telephone Number): (212) 264-3262.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: William R. Fuller, Acting Regional 
Director, New York Office at (212) 264-3262.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Anticipated processing time of this award is 
120 days, Executive order 12372, ``Intergovernmental Review of Federal 
Programs,'' is not applicable to this program. The collection of 
information requirements for this project have been approved by the 
Office of Management and Budget (OMB) and assigned OMB control number 
0640-0006. Questions concerning the preceding information can be 
answered by the contact person indicated above, and copies of 
application kits and applicable regulations can be obtained at the 
above address.
    Pre-Award Costs--Applicants are hereby notified that if they incur 
any costs prior to an award being made, they do so solely at their own 
risk of not being reimbursed by the Government. Notwithstanding any 
verbal assurance that an applicant may have received, there is no 
obligation on the part of the Department of Commerce to cover pre-award 
costs. Awards under this program shall be subject to all Federal laws, 
and Federal and Departmental regulations, policies, and procedures 
applicable to Federal financial assistance awards.
    Outstanding Account Receivable--No award of Federal funds shall be 
made to an applicant who has outstanding delinquent Federal debt until 
either the delinquent account is paid in full, repayment schedule is 
established and at least one payment is received, or other arrangements 
satisfactory to the Department of Commerce are made.
    Name Check Policy--All non-profit and for-profit applicants are 
subject to a name check review process. Name checks are intended to 
reveal if any key individuals associated with the applicant have been 
convicted of or are presently facing criminal charges such as fraud, 
theft, perjury or other matters which significantly reflect on the 
applicant's management honesty or financial integrity.
    Award Termination--The Departmental Grants Officer may terminate 
any grant/cooperative agreement in whole or in part any time before the 
date of completion whenever it is determined that the award recipient 
has failed to comply with the conditions of the grant/cooperative 
agreement. Examples of some of the conditions which can cause 
termination are failure to meet cost-sharing requirements; 
unsatisfactory performance of the MBDC work requirements; and reporting 
inaccurate or inflated claims of client assistance. Such inaccurate or 
inflated claims may be deemed illegal and punishable by law.
    False Statements--A false statement on an application for Federal 
financial assistance is grounds for denial or termination of funds, and 
grounds for possible punishment by a fine or imprisonment as provided 
in 18 U.S.C. 1001.
    Primary Applicant Certifications--All primary applicants must 
submit a completed Form CD-511, ``Certifications Regarding Debarment, 
Suspension and Other Responsibility Matters; Drug-Free Workplace 
Requirements and Lobbying.''
    Nonprocurement Debarment and Suspension--Prospective participants 
(as defined at 15 CFR part 26, section 105) are subject to 15 CFR part 
26, Nonprocurement Debarment and Suspension'' and the related section 
of the certification form prescribed above applies.
    Drug Free Workplace--Grantees (as defined at 15 CFR part 26, 
section 605) are subject to 15 CFR part 26, Subpart F, ``Governmentwide 
Requirements for Drug-Free Workplace (Grants)'' and the related section 
of the certification form prescribed above applies.
    Anti-Lobbying--Persons (as defined at 15 CFR part 28, section 105) 
are subject to the lobbying provisions of 31 U.S.C. 1352, ``Limitation 
on use of appropriated funds to influence certain Federal contracting 
and financial transactions,'' and the lobbying section of the 
certification form prescribed above applies to applications/bids for 
grants, cooperative agreements, and contracts for more than $100,000.
    Anti-Lobbying Disclosures--Any applicant that has paid or will pay 
for lobbying using any funds must submit an SF-LLL, ``Disclosure of 
Lobbying Activities,'' as required under 15 CFR part 28, Appendix B.
    Lower Tier Certifications--Recipients shall require applications/
bidders for subgrants, contracts, subcontracts, or other lower tier 
covered transactions at any tier under the award to submit, if 
applicable, a completed Form CD-512, ``Certifications Regarding 
Debarment, Suspension, ineligibility and Voluntary Exclusion-Lower Tier 
Covered Transactions and Lobbying'' and disclosure form, SF-LLL, 
``Disclosure of Lobbying Activities.'' Form CD-512 is intended for the 
use of recipients and should not be transmitted to DOC. SF-LLL 
submitted by any tier recipient or subrecipient should be submitted to 
DOC in accordance with the instructions contained in the award 
document.

11.800  Minority Business Development,

(Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance)

    Dated: February 2, 1994.
William R. Fuller,
Acting Regional Director, Regional Office.
[FR Doc. 94-3101 Filed 2-9-94; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-21-M