[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 59 (Friday, March 27, 1998)]
[Notices]
[Pages 14900-14903]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-8081]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

Minority Business Development Agency
[Docket No. 980320072-8072-01]


Solicitation of Minority Business Development Center Applications 
for Miami/Ft. Lauderdale, Raleigh/Durham, San Antonio, El Paso, 
Statewide New Mexico, Philadelphia, Williamsburg, Seattle, Honolulu and 
San Jose

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 from organizations to operate the Minority 
Business Development Centers (MBDC) listed in this document.
    The purpose of the MBDC Program is to provide business development 
assistance to persons who are members of groups determined by MBDA to 
be socially or economically disadvantaged, and to business concerns 
owned and controlled by such individuals. 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 client services to minority entrepreneurs; and to serve as a 
conduit of information and assistance regarding minority business.

DATES: The closing date for applications is April 27, 1998, 5:00 p.m. 
(local time). Applications must be received in the Executive 
Secretariat or Room 1874 on or before the closing date.

ADDRESSES: Completed application packages should be submitted to the 
U.S. Department of Commerce, Minority Business Development Agency, MBDA 
Executive Secretariat, 14th and Constitution Avenue, NW., Room 5073, 
Washington, DC 20230. If application is hand delivered by the applicant 
or its representative, it must be delivered to Room 1874, which is 
located at entrance #10, 15th Street NW, between Pennsylvania and 
Constitution Avenues.

PRE-APPLICATION CONFERENCE: A pre-application conference will be held 
for each MBDC. Interested applicants should immediately contact the 
appropriate regional office, as indicated below, for further 
information.
    Proper Identification Is Required for Entrance Into Any Federal 
Building.
    1. MBDC Application: Miami/Ft. Lauderdale.
    Consolidated Metropolitan Statistical Area: Miami/Ft. Lauderdale, 
Florida.
    Award Number: 04-10-98003-01.
    Pre-Application Conference: For the exact date, time and place, 
contact the Atlanta Regional Office at (404) 730-3300.
    For Further Information and an Application Package, Contact: Robert 
Henderson, Regional Director.
    Contingent upon the availability of Federal funds, the cost of 
performance for the first budget period (6 months) from July 1, 1998 to 
December 31, 1998, is estimated at $333,427. The total Federal amount 
is $283,413 and is composed of $276,500 plus the Audit Fee amount of 
$6,913. The application must include a minimum cost share of 15%, 
$50,014 in non-Federal (cost-sharing) contributions for a total project 
cost of $333,427. The operator of the Miami/Ft. Lauderdale MBDC is 
required to maintain a satellite office in the Ft. Lauderdale, Florida 
Primary Metropolitan Statistical Area, as well as having their 
Headquarter's office in the Miami, Florida Primary Metropolitan 
Statistical Area.

    2. MBDC Application: Seattle.
    Primary Metropolitan Statistical Area: Seattle, Washington.
    Award Number: 09-10-98004-01.
    Pre-Application Conference: For the exact date, time and place, 
contact the San Francisco Regional Office at (415) 744-3001.
    For Further Information and an Application Package, Contact: Melda 
Cabrera, Regional Director.
    Contingent upon the availability of Federal funds, the cost of 
performance for the first budget period (6 months) from July 1, 1998 to 
December 31, 1998, is estimated at $111,098. The total Federal amount 
is $94,434 and is composed of $92,130 plus the Audit Fee amount of 
$2,304. The application must include a minimum cost share of 15%, 
$16,664 in non-Federal (cost-sharing) contributions for a total project 
cost of $111,098.

    3. MBDC Application: San Jose.
    Primary Metropolitan Statistical Area: San Jose, California.
    Award Number: 09-10-98005-01.
    Pre-Application Conference: For the exact date, time and place, 
contact the San Francisco Regional Office at (415) 744-3001.
    For Further Information and an Application Package, Contact: Melda 
Cabrera, Regional Director.
    Contingent upon the availability of Federal funds, the cost of 
performance for the first budget period (12 months) from January 1, 
1999 to December 31, 1999, is estimated at $333,125. The total Federal 
amount is $283,156 and is composed of $276,250 plus the Audit Fee 
amount of $6,906. The application must include a minimum cost share of 
15%, $49,969 in non-Federal (cost-sharing) contributions for a total 
project cost of $333,125.

    4. MBDC Application: San Antonio.
    Metropolitan Statistical Area: San Antonio, Texas.
    Award Number: 06-10-98002-01.
    Pre-Application Conference: For the exact date, time and place, 
contact the Dallas Regional Office at (214) 767-8001.
    For Further Information and an Application Package, Contact: John 
Iglehart, Regional Director.
    Contingent upon the availability of Federal funds, the cost of 
performance for the first budget period (6 months) from July 1, 1998 to 
December 31, 1998, is estimated at $166,562. The total Federal amount 
is $141,578 and is composed of $138,744 plus the Audit Fee amount of 
$2,834. The application must include a minimum cost share of 15%, 
$24,984 in non-Federal (cost-sharing) contributions for a total project 
cost of $166,562.

    5. MBDC Application: El Paso.
    Metropolitan Statistical Area: El Paso, Texas.
    Award Number: 06-10-98003-01.
    Pre-Application Conference: For the exact date, time and place, 
contact the Dallas Regional Office at (214) 767-8001.
    For Further Information and an Application Package, Contact: John 
Iglehart, Regional Director.
    Contingent upon the availability of Federal funds, the cost of 
performance for the first budget period (12 months) from January 1, 
1999 to December 31, 1999, is estimated at $198,970. The total Federal 
amount is $169,125 and is composed of $165,000 plus the Audit Fee 
amount of $4,125. The application must include a minimum cost share of 
15%, $29,845 in non-Federal (cost-sharing) contributions for a total 
project cost of $198,970.

    6. MBDC Application: Statewide New Mexico.
    Metropolitan Statistical Area: State of New Mexico.

[[Page 14901]]

    Award Number: 06-10-98006-01.
    Pre-Application Conference: For the exact date, time and place, 
contact the Dallas Regional Office at (214) 767-8001.

    For Further Information and an Application Package, Contact: John 
Iglehart, Regional Director.
    Contingent upon the availability of Federal funds, the cost of 
performance for the first budget period (12 months) from January 1, 
1999 to December 31, 1999, is estimated at $333,125. The total Federal 
amount is $283,156 and is composed of $276,250 plus the Audit Fee 
amount of $6,906. The application must include a minimum cost share of 
15%, $49,960 in non-Federal (cost-sharing) contributions for a total 
project cost of $333,125.

    7. MBDC Application: Philadelphia.
    Primary Metropolitan Statistical Area: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
    Award Number: 02-10-98002-01.
    Pre-Application Conference: For the exact date, time and place, 
contact the New York Regional Office at (212) 264-3262.

    For Further Information and an Application Package, Contact: 
Heyward Davenport, Regional Director.
    Contingent upon the availability of Federal funds, the cost of 
performance for the first budget period (12 months) from January 1, 
1999 to December 31, 1999, is estimated at $388,898. The total Federal 
amount is $330,563 and is composed of $322,500 plus the Audit Fee 
amount of $8,063. The application must include a minimum cost share of 
15%, $58,335 in non-Federal (cost-sharing) contributions for a total 
project cost of $388,898.

    8. MBDC Application: Williamsburg.
    Metropolitan Statistical Area: Williamsburg/Brooklyn, New York.
    Award Number: 02-10-98003-01.
    Pre-Application Conference: For the exact date, time and place, 
contact the New York Regional Office at (212) 264-3262.

    For Further Information and an Application Package, Contact: 
Heyward Davenport, Regional Director.
    Contingent upon the availability of Federal funds, the cost of 
performance for the first budget period (12 months) from January 1, 
1999 to December 31, 1999, is estimated at $385,882. The total Federal 
amount is $328,000 and is composed of $320,000 plus the Audit Fee 
amount of $8,000. The application must include a minimum cost share of 
15%, $57,882 in non-Federal (cost-sharing) contributions for a total 
project cost of $385,882.

    9. MBDC Application: Honolulu.
    Metropolitan Statistical Area: Honolulu, Hawaii.
    Award Number: 09-10-98006-01.
    Pre-Application Conference: For the exact date, time and place, 
contact the San Francisco Regional Office at (415) 744-3001.

    For Further Information and an Application Package, Contact: Melda 
Cabrera, Regional Director.
    Contingent upon the availability of Federal funds, the cost of 
performance for the first budget period (4 months) from September 1, 
1998 to December 31, 1998, is estimated at $68,166. The total Federal 
amount is $68,166 and is composed of $66,666 plus the Audit Fee amount 
of $1,500. The application must include a minimum cost share of 15%, 
$12,029 in non-Federal (cost-sharing) contributions for a total project 
cost of $80,195.

    10. MBDC Application: Raleigh/Durham.
    Metropolitan Statistical Area: Raleigh/Durham, North Carolina.
    Award number: 04-10-98004-01.
    Pre-Application Conference: For the exact date, time and place, 
contact the Atlanta Regional Office at (404) 730-3300.
    For Further Information and an Application Package, Contact: Robert 
Henderson, Regional Director.
    Contingent upon the availability of Federal funds, the cost of 
performance for the first budget period (12 months) from January 1, 
1999 to December 31, 1999, is estimated at $353,972. The total Federal 
amount is $300,876 and is composed of $292,624 plus the Audit Fee 
amount of $8,252. The application must include a minimum cost share of 
15%, $53,096 in non-Federal (cost-sharing) contributions for a total 
project cost of $353,972. The operator of the Raleigh/Durham MBDC is 
required to maintain a satellite office in the Charlotte, North 
Carolina Metropolitan Statistical Area, as well as having their 
Headquarter's office in the Raleigh/Durham, North Carolina Metropolitan 
Statistical Area.

Supplementary information: The following information and requirements 
are applicable to the listed MBDCs: Miami/Ft. Lauderdale, Raleigh/
Durham, San Antonio, El Paso, Statewide New Mexico, Philadelphia, 
Williamsburg, Seattle, Honolulu, and San Jose.
    The funding instrument for this project will be a cooperative 
agreement. Competition is open to non-profit and for-profit 
organizations (including sole-proprietors), state and local 
governments, American Indian tribes and educational institutions.
    Applications will be evaluated by an independent panel of at least 
three individuals qualified to review the applications based on the 
following criteria: the knowledge, background and/or 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 (45 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 (25 
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. The competitive panel's 
evaluations are then considered by the Regional Director or the 
Director's designee who makes a recommendation for selection to the 
Director of MBDA. The Director of MBDA will review those applications 
determined to be acceptable and responsive. Recommendations by the 
Regional Director or the Director's designee and final award selection 
by the Director shall be based on the number of evaluation criteria 
points received, the demonstrated responsibility of the applicant, and 
the Director's determination of the applications most likely to further 
the purpose of the MBDA program. Negative audit findings, financial 
instability, and unsatisfactory performance under prior Federal awards 
may result in an application not being considered for award. Applicants 
not selected for these reasons will be notified. The applicant with the 
highest point score will not necessarily receive the award. On 
occasion, competitive solicitations or competitive panels may produce 
results that do not satisfactorily comply with MBDA program 
requirements. Some examples of unsatisfactory results are as follows:
     Competition resulting in no applications,
     Competition resulting in one programmatically acceptable 
application (where the MBDA Director establishes with written 
justification that a slate of more than one programmatically acceptable 
application is necessary), and
     Competition resulting in all unresponsive applications 
(determined to be programmatically unacceptable).
    In these cases, MBDA will take the most time and cost effective 
approach available that is in the best interest of

[[Page 14902]]

the government to achieve its mission. This includes one of the 
following:
     Recompetition--is the most acceptable option. Where time 
and funding considerations allow for recompetition, MBDA will cancel 
the original solicitation and issue a new one; beginning a new round of 
competition.
     Re-paneling--is a viable option when the MBDA Director has 
reason to question either the objectivity or proper scoring of a panel.
     Negotiation--may be an option in those instances where the 
MBDA Director believes that recompeting would produce the same or 
similar results as the original competition and is, therefore, a waste 
of government money and time. When negotiations occur because 
recompeting is not a viable option, negotiations must occur equitably 
with all original applicants.
     Cancellation--is appropriate when none of the above is 
determined to be a viable option, or for other programmatic reasons.
    Periodic reviews culminating in year-to-date evaluations will be 
conducted to determine if funding for the project should continue. 
Under MBDA's existing competitive program cycle, an MBDC recipient can 
receive two additional twelve-month budget periods. 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.
    The MBDC shall be required to contribute at least 15% of the total 
project cost through non-Federal contributions. To assist in this 
effort, the MBDC may charge client fees for services rendered. Fees may 
range from $10 to $60 per hour based on the gross receipts of the 
client's business.
    Anticipated processing time of this award is 120 days. Executive 
Order 12372, ``Intergovernmental Review of Federal Programs,'' is not 
applicable to this program. Federal funds for this project include 
audit funds for non-CPA recipients. In the event that a CPA firm wins 
the competition, the funds allocated for audits are not applicable. The 
contact person indicated above can answer questions concerning the 
preceding information, and copies of application kits and applicable 
regulations can be obtained at the above address. This document 
involves collections of information subject to the Paperwork Reduction 
Act, which have been approved by OMB under OMB control numbers 0348-
0043, 0348-0044, 0348-0040, 0348-0046, and 0640-0006. Notwithstanding 
any other provision of law, no person is required to respond to nor 
shall a person be subject to a penalty for failure to comply with a 
collection of information subject to the requirements of the Paperwork 
Reduction Act unless that collection of information displays a current 
valid OMB control number.
    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.
    Application Forms and Kit--Standard Forms 424, Application for 
Federal Assistance; 424A, Budget Information--Non-Construction 
Programs; and 424B, Assurances--Non-Construction Programs, (Rev 4-92), 
shall be used in applying for financial assistance. An application kit 
containing all application forms and certifications is available by 
contacting the appropriate Regional Office listed as further 
information contacts.
    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.
    Indirect Costs--The total dollar amount of the indirect costs 
proposed in an application under this program must not exceed the 
indirect costs rate negotiated and approved by a cognizant Federal 
agency prior to the proposed effective date of the award or 100 percent 
of the total proposed direct costs dollar amount in the application, 
whichever is less.
    Outstanding Accounts Receivable--No award of Federal funds shall be 
made to an applicant who has an 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.
    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, Sec. 26.105) 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, 
Sec. 26.605) 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, Sec. 28.105) 
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, 
and loans and loan guarantees for more than $150,000 or the single 
family maximum mortgage limit for affected programs, whichever is 
greater.
    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.
    Buy American-made Equipment or Products--Applicants are hereby 
notified that they are encouraged, to the greatest extent practicable, 
to purchase

[[Page 14903]]

American-made equipment and products with funding provided under this 
program.

11.800  Minority Business Development Center (Catalog of Federal 
Domestic Assistance)

    Dated: March 23, 1998.
Juanita E. Berry,
Federal Register Liaison Officer, Minority Business Development Agency.
Courtland Cox,
Acting Director, Minority Business Development Agency.
[FR Doc. 98-8081 Filed 3-26-98; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-21-U