[Federal Register Volume 66, Number 227 (Monday, November 26, 2001)]
[Notices]
[Pages 58990-59000]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 01-29360]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

Minority Business Development Agency

[Docket No. 000724218-1270-03]
RIN 0640-ZA09


Solicitation of Applications for the Native American Business 
Development Center (NABDC) Program

AGENCY: Minority Business Development Agency, Commerce.

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: Subject to the availability of fiscal year 2002 funds, the 
Minority Business Development Agency (MBDA) is soliciting competitive 
applications, under its Native American Business Development Center 
(NABDC) Program, from organizations to operate a NABDC in the State of 
New Mexico. After reviewing the performance of the current operator of 
the New Mexico NABDC, MBDA has elected not to continue funding in 2002 
for the operator and to re-compete this geographic service area.

DATES: The closing date for applications for the NABDC project is 
December 26, 2001. Anticipated time for processing of applications is 
120 days. MBDA anticipates that the award for the NABDC program will be 
made with a start date of January 1, 2002. Completed applications for 
the NABDC program must be (1) mailed (USPS postmark) to the NABDC 
Program Office (see: Addresses); or (2) received by MBDA (see: 
Addresses) no later than 5 p.m. Eastern Standard Time.

ADDRESSES: If the applicant or its representative mails the 
application, it must be mailed to: Native American Business Development 
Center Program Office, Office of Executive Secretariat, HCHB, Room 
5063, Minority Business Development Agency, U.S. Department of 
Commerce, 14th Street and Constitution Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 
20230.
    If the application is hand-delivered by the applicant or its 
representative, the application must be delivered to Room

[[Page 58991]]

1874, which is located at Entrance #10, 15th Street, NW, between 
Pennsylvania and Constitution Avenues.
    To submit an application electronically (see: Supplementary 
Information), you must go to www.mbda.gov/egrants.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For further information, contact the 
MBDA Regional Office for the geographic service area in which the 
project will be located.

PRE-APPLICATION CONFERENCE: Contact Mr. Bobby Jefferson of the MBDA 
Dallas Regional Office at (214) 767-8001 for date, time and location. 
Proper identification is required for entrance into any Federal 
building.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Applications postmarked later than the 
closing date or received after the closing date and time will not be 
considered.
    Applicants must submit one signed original plus two (2) copies of 
the application.
    Applicants are encouraged to submit their proposal electronically 
via the World Wide Web. However, the following paper forms must be 
submitted with original signatures in conjunction with any electronic 
submissions by the closing date and time stated above: (1) SF-424, 
Application for Federal Assistance; (2) the SF-424B, Assurances-Non-
Construction Programs; (3) the SF-LLL (Rev. 7-97) (if applicable), 
Disclosure of Lobbying Activities; (4) Department of Commerce Form CD-
346 (if applicable), Applicant for Funding Assistance; and (5) the CD-
511, Certifications Regarding Debarment, Suspension and Other 
Responsibility Matters; Drug-Free Workplace Requirements and Lobbying. 
MBDA's web site address to submit an application on-line is 
www.mbda.gov/egrants. All required forms are located at this web 
address.
    Failure to submit a signed, original SF-424 with the application, 
or separately in conjunction with submitting a proposal electronically, 
by the deadline will result in the application being rejected and 
returned to the applicant. Failure to sign and submit with the 
application, or separately in conjunction with submitting a proposal 
electronically, the other forms identified above by the deadline will 
automatically cause an application to lose two (2) points. Failure to 
submit other documents or information may adversely affect an 
applicant's overall score. MBDA shall not accept any changes, 
additions, revisions or deletions to competitive applications after the 
closing date for receiving applications, except through a formal 
negotiation process.

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

Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance (CFDA)

    11.801 Native American Business Development Center Program.

Program Description

    The new and enhanced NABDC Program is the successor to MBDA's 
Native American Business Development Center (NABDC) Program, for 
providing general business assistance to Native American-owned 
companies in various markets throughout the United States.
    In order for the proposals to receive consideration, applicants 
must comply with all information and requirements contained in this 
Notice.
    The NABDC Program represents a significant programmatic and 
administrative enhancement of MBDA's traditional NABDC Program. In 
operation since 1982, the NABDCs provide generalized management and 
technical assistance and business development services to Native 
American business enterprises within their designated geographic 
service areas. The new and enhanced NABDC program described in this 
Notice updates the traditional NABDC model by leveraging the full 
benefit of telecommunications technology, including the Internet, and a 
variety of online computer resources to dramatically increase the level 
of service which the NABDCs can provide to their Native American 
business clients.
    In addition, the NABDC Program guidelines further increase the 
impact of the NABDC projects by requiring that project operators not 
only deploy their business assistance services to the Native American 
business public directly, but that they also develop a network of 
strategic partnerships with third-party organizations located within 
the geographic service area. These strategic partnerships will be used 
to expand the reach of the NABDC project into communities and market 
segments that the project would have limited resources to cover 
otherwise, and are a key component of this program modification.
    Individuals eligible for assistance under the NABDC Program are 
Native Americans, African Americans, Puerto Ricans, Spanish-speaking 
Americans, Aleuts, Asian Pacific Americans, Asian Indians, Eskimos and 
Hasidic Jews. References throughout this Notice to providing assistance 
to Native Americans also include eligible non-Native Americans listed 
in the preceding sentence. No service will be denied to any member of 
the eligible groups listed above.
    For the past 18 years, MBDA has operated the NABDC Program as its 
approach for providing general business assistance and counseling to 
Native American business enterprises. MBDA established NABDCs in 
numerous cities throughout the country to assist in the development of 
local Native American firms. The NABDC Program was developed to address 
the needs of the majority of Native American-owned firms throughout the 
country at a basic level, and thus the traditional NABDCs are not 
designed to provide specialized expertise in any specific industry.
    Through its new and enhanced NABDC Program, MBDA is now providing 
major enhancements to the traditional NABDC Program, by leveraging the 
full benefit of telecommunications technology, including the Internet, 
and a variety of online computer-based resources to dramatically 
increase the level of service, which the new Centers can provide to 
their clients.
    This enhanced approach also increases the reach of the Centers by 
requiring project operators to develop strategic alliances with public 
and private sector partners, as a means of reaching out to Native 
American firms within the project's geographic service area.

Background

    Under the original NABDC Program, MBDA traditionally operated as 
many as 10 Centers in strategic locations throughout the country, for 
the benefit of Native American entrepreneurs. MBDA selected locations 
for the establishment of these Centers based on the size of the 
population in those markets, and the number of Native American-owned 
companies, as established by U.S. Census Bureau data.
    In addition, like the original NABDC Program, the new and enhanced 
NABDC Program is a mainstay of MBDA's overall business development 
efforts. The new and enhanced NABDC Program is at the core of the 
Agency's comprehensive strategy for addressing the needs of growing 
Native American firms. Under this strategy, MBDA has identified the 
following four types of services which an NABDC will generally be 
expected to provide:
    1. Access to Markets--This involves assisting Minority Business 
Entrepreneurs (MBE) to identify and exploit opportunities for increased 
sales and revenue. Activities include conducting market analysis, 
identifying

[[Page 58992]]

sales leads, bid preparation assistance, creating market promotions, 
and assistance in developing joint ventures and strategic alliances.
    2. Access to Capital--This involves assisting MBEs to secure the 
financial capital necessary to start-up, and thereafter to fuel growth 
and expansion of their businesses. Undercapitalization has been a major 
contributor to the failure of business ventures in the Native American 
community over the years. Hence the goal of this activity is to help 
Native American entrepreneurs obtain the amount of financing 
appropriate to the scope of the proposed business and, thereby, to help 
ensure the greatest likelihood of success for the Native American 
venture in the marketplace.
    3. Management and Technical Assistance--This component of MBDA's 
approach involves assisting Native American firms in establishing, 
improving and/or successfully maintaining their business and/or to 
resolve key operational issues within the business. Such issues might 
include the need for a recruitment and hiring strategy, evaluating a 
capital equipment purchase, or developing internal operating 
procedures.
    4. Education and Training--This involves providing basic education 
and training to Native American entrepreneurs on important business 
topics. Training should be hands-on, practical, and streamlined in 
order to reflect the time constraints of the typical small business 
owner. In addition, given the proliferation of online resources from 
MBDA as well as others, this training should be designed to educate 
MBEs in the use of the Agency's electronic business assistance tools 
and in the use of electronic commerce generally to better access 
suppliers, customers and information.
    Like the original NABDCs, the new and enhanced NABDCs will operate 
through the use of trained professional business counselors who will 
assist Native American entrepreneurs through direct client engagements. 
To date, MBDA has served more than 20,000 Native American businesses 
through its Centers, enabling these companies to grow and expand, 
creating new jobs, increasing tax revenues, and contributing to the 
health of the overall economy.

Enhancing the NABDCs through Technology

    Over the past three years, MBDA has developed a variety of new 
technology tools designed to leverage the benefits of information 
technology to assist the Native American business community. In 
addition, the Agency has developed a high-speed network strategy 
capable of linking all of its Centers into a single virtual 
organization. The goal of MBDA's new and enhanced NABDC Program 
strategy is to deploy these technology enhancements to all of the 
NABDCs, and create a state-of-the-art environment for bringing Native 
American businesses continuously-updated information, access to 
resources anywhere in the country, and the best available assistance in 
any given subject area at any time. The implementation of this strategy 
is the Minority Business Internet Portal (MBIP).
    MBDA's technology tools that will be made available to the NABDCs 
through MBDA's MBIP site include:
     Phoenix/Opportunity--an electronic bid-matching system 
that alerts participating minority companies of contract and teaming 
opportunities directly via e-mail. Procurement leads are transmitted to 
minority firms on a targeted basis according to the company's industry 
classification and geographic market. Firms seeking to participate in 
this program need only to transmit their company profile to MBDA online 
via the Agency's Phoenix database.
     Resource Locator--a new and unique software application 
that allows Native American business enterprises to search for business 
resources and locate them on a map `` interactively on the Internet. 
Resource Locator can help Native American firms identify trade 
associations representing their industries, government licensing and 
permit offices, management and technical assistance providers, and a 
host of other resources quickly and efficiently, through Geographic 
Information Systems technology.
     Online Commercial Loan Identifier--an Internet-based tool 
that allows Native American enterprises to shop for commercial loans 
online, and identify the best available financing terms. The Commercial 
Loan Identifier is designed to give Native American firms the benefit 
of a nationwide market for commercial loan products.
     Business and Market Planning Software--software packages 
to streamline and enhance the development of business plans, marketing 
plans and other strategic business documents.
    The MBIP will serve as a very effective vehicle for enhancing the 
scope and service capability of the NABDC network. Through the portal 
site, each NABDC will receive a standardized electronic toolkit of 
business development tools and applications. This ``electronic 
toolkit'' will provide important programmatic benefits for the NABDCs.
    Specifically:
     These electronic tools will help to streamline the process 
of delivering client assistance to Native American business 
enterprises, giving the Centers the ability to service greater numbers 
of clients with existing resources.
     In addition, MBDA expects that these electronic tools will 
be in high demand because of the significant added value that they are 
able to create for business enterprises. Demand for these tools will 
further enhance the position of the NABDCs as important resources 
within their local markets.
     Finally, by participating in MBDA's nationwide high-speed 
network, each NABDC will be able to access the latest information 
regarding best practices, emerging market trends, success strategies, 
and other activities in the Native American business development arena.
    Current trends in technology, procurement streamlining, 
globalization, and a host of other market factors have had a dramatic 
impact on the Native American business community. Native American-owned 
businesses, regardless of their industry, now find themselves subject 
to rapidly changing market conditions. To ensure their continued 
growth, these firms will need access to the best available information 
and expertise on a continuously updated basis. The new NABDC Program, 
combined with the MBIP site, directly respond to this need, by 
leveraging MBDA's traditional business development infrastructure 
through state-of-the-art technology and communications.

Work Requirements

    The work requirements specify the duties and responsibilities of 
each recipient operating an NABDC.
    Although it is not necessary for the applicant to have an office in 
the geographic service area, the NABDC office must be strategically 
located in the geographic service area to ensure that it is close to 
the available public and private sector resources, within a reasonable 
commuting distance to the minority business community, and accessible 
to public transportation. The NABDC must be opened and be fully 
operational within 30 days after receipt of the award. Fully 
operational means that all staff are hired, all signs are up, all items 
of furniture and equipment are in place and operational, and the 
NABDC's doors have been fully opened to the public for service.

[[Page 58993]]

    An NABDC operator must provide services to all eligible clients 
within its specified geographic service area. In addition, each 
operator must contribute its efforts to help support MBDA's online 
business assistance network as established by Agency policies.
    NABDCs are required to perform work in four basic areas:
    1. Market Building--To identify, develop and leverage public and 
private sector resources and business opportunities for their clients;
    (a) Market Research and Development which systematically 
investigates the service area market to see what business and capital 
opportunities exist for Native American business enterprise 
development; search for sources of capital, sales opportunities, 
business buy-outs and new start possibilities; bring the research to a 
practical level of utility to fit the capability and needs of specific 
MBE client firms of the area. As market research is conducted, the 
NABDC will make optimum use of the MBDA network to ensure that the 
information is made available to fellow operators, and to MBEs 
throughout the country.
    (b) Market Promotion which promotes Native American business 
development in the local business community by obtaining support from 
the community as a whole, leverages resources for minority businesses 
and informs potential and current minority businesses of the 
availability of business development services through the NABDC.
    The NABDC will promote individual firms to the public and private 
sectors to make the market aware of the capability, talent and capacity 
of the local MBE firms. The NABDC may utilize public service 
announcements and paid advertising. The NABDC promotes MBEs at local 
Chambers of Commerce, business and trade associations, corporate and 
company trade fairs and meetings, state and local government agency 
purchasing departments, economic development and planning offices and 
MBE development events. In addition, the NABDC shall promote and 
participate in MED Week activities involving the full participation of 
the private and public sectors. MED Week is a major annual event of 
MBDA on both the local and national levels.
    Under this function, the NABDC shall carry out a plan-of-action 
that may include, but is not limited to, the following actions: (1) 
Publicize the NABDC and its services throughout the geographic service 
area; (2) Organize press briefings or distribute press releases for 
area newspapers; (3) Deliver speeches before key Native American 
audiences in the NABDC service area; (4) Secure a list of service area 
Native American vendors who are listed in MBDA's Phoenix System and use 
them in market promotion activities; (5) Interface with Native American 
Chambers of Commerce and trade associations for access to their mailing 
lists; (6) Communicate with bankers and other officers of financial 
institutions for possible referrals of Native American entrepreneurs as 
existing prospective Native American clients to the NABDC; (7) Identify 
existing lists of successful Native American managers, professionals, 
technical experts and skilled crafts-people, who may have an interest 
in or exhibit qualifications for business ownership; (8) Develop an 
NABDC brochure for mail-out and distribution to the public, as well as 
for inclusion on the MBDA web site; and (9) E-mail information and/or 
newsletters to existing and prospective local Native American 
entrepreneurs.
    c. Resource and Inventory Development which identifies local 
opportunities and resources as well as local Native American 
businesses, qualified to take advantage of them. This requirement will 
enable the NABDC to support the maintenance of content for the Phoenix/
Opportunity databases and other online systems as well as to track 
local market trends and market demand for goods and services. Under 
this function, the NABDC must (1) Develop and maintain inventories of 
area opportunities and resources, which should include: Electronic 
Commerce--information technology affecting the marketability of its 
clients, i.e., access to new markets, access to capital and business 
opportunities and other resources; Market Opportunities--both in the 
public sector (Federal, state and local) and in the private sector 
(foreign and domestic); Capital Opportunities--e.g., loans, bonds, 
trade credits, and equity investments; Business Ownership 
Opportunities--e.g., franchises, licensing arrangements, mergers and 
buy-outs; Education and Training Opportunities--e.g., educational 
institution programs and other training resources; (2) Register 
eligible local Native American firms in MBDA's Phoenix database, which 
is a national inventory of Native American vendor firms capable of 
selling their goods and services to the public and private sector.
    (d) Match Opportunities and Close Transactions which matches 
eligible Native American entrepreneurs with specific viable businesses, 
market and/or capital opportunities. This function contributes to an 
NABDC's financial packaging and/or procurement performance goals, and 
is the only market development function outside of the standard client 
business assistance in which a portion of an NABDC's time can be 
directly associated to individual Native American business clients and 
resource customers. This client specific time, no matter how small, is 
considered client assistance and may be subject to client fees. Under 
this function, the NABDC shall match qualified Native American 
entrepreneurs with identified opportunities and resources by: (1) 
Accessing vendor information systems, including the Phoenix/Opportunity 
databases; (2) Maintaining a constant awareness of the Native American 
firms that operate within the geographic service area and their 
capabilities; (3) Maintaining direct contact with purchasing 
executives, government procurement officials, banking officials and 
others so that representatives of the NABDC are in a position to learn 
about available business opportunities, both formally and informally; 
(4) Engaging in relationship brokering between purchasing organization 
and individual Native American firms capable of fulfilling their 
requirements; and (5) Assisting in direct negotiations between 
purchasing organization and individual Native American firms, in 
appropriate cases, in order to help resolve issues, serve as an 
advocate for the Native American firm, or otherwise assist in bringing 
the transaction to closure.
    2. Client Services--To provide direct client assistance to Native 
American business enterprise on the basis of individualized 
professional engagements. Under these duties, the NABDC shall assist 
Native American firms and individuals, which have agreed in writing to 
become clients, in establishing, improving and/or successfully 
maintaining their businesses. All new clients shall be entered into the 
Performance database and registered in the Phoenix System. It is 
required that clients and their service hours should be entered in the 
Performance database on a regular basis, preferably weekly.
    This assistance is defined as the function by which the NABDC 
provides direct services to its clients. It may range from general 
counseling to the identification, analysis and resolution of specific 
business problems. Clients assisted more than once during the funding 
period may only be counted once in that funding period. Group sessions 
are one method an NABDC can use to provide business development 
services to Native American clients. This function may be subject to 
client

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fees and directly contributes to an NABDC's performance goals.
    Under this function, the NABDC shall provide assistance to eligible 
Native American firms and individuals (as referenced in Executive 
Orders 11625 and 12432) seeking assistance from the NABDC, including 
8(a) certified and graduate firms. However, the NABDC shall not perform 
or engage in the operation of a firm. Client services include, but are 
not limited to, the following types of assistance: (1) Marketing, e.g., 
market research, promotion, advertising and sales, sales forecasting, 
market feasibility studies, pricing, procurement assistance, product 
and customer service, brochure design (excludes mass printing), and 
general counseling; (2) Finance and Accounting, e.g., capital 
budgeting, general accounting, break-even analysis, cost accounting, 
financial planning and analysis budgeting, tax planning, financial 
packaging, general counseling, and mergers and acquisitions (excludes 
bookkeeping, tax preparation, and audits); (3) Manufacturing, e.g., 
plant location and site selection, plant management, materials handling 
and distribution, total quality management, metrication for world 
market, and general counseling; (4) Construction and Assistance, e.g., 
estimating, bid preparation, bonding, take-offs, and general 
counseling; (5) International Trade Assistance, e.g., exporting, 
importing, letters of credit, bank draft, dealerships, agencies, 
distributorship, exporting trading companies, joint ventures, general 
counseling, and freight forwarding and handling; (6) Administration, 
e.g., office management, procedures and systems, inventory control, 
purchasing, total quality management, awareness of metric system, and 
general counseling; (7) Personnel, e.g., human resource management, job 
evaluation and rating system, training, and general counseling; (8) 
General Management, e.g., organization and structure, formulating 
corporate policy, feasibility studies, reports and controls, public 
relations, staff scheduling, legal services (excludes litigation), 
business planning, organizational development, bid preparation, and 
general counseling.
    In order to stay competitive in the increasingly global economy, 
Native American business owners should consider ISO 9000 or other 
quality assurance standards. The NABDC must have knowledge of what 
these standards are, how to properly implement the standards, and how 
to obtain ISO 9000 Quality System certification for its clients.
    The one-on-one assistance to any client shall be limited to no more 
than 250 hours per funding period unless prior approval is requested 
from the appropriate MBDA Regional Director, and approved by the Grants 
Officer of the Department of Commerce.
    3. Operational Quality--To maintain the efficiency and 
effectiveness of its overall operations as well as the quality of its 
client services. These duties are the means by which an NABDC maintains 
the efficiency and effectiveness of its overall operations as well as 
the quality of its client services. The function directly contributes 
to an NABDC's overall qualitative evaluation and rating as well as the 
successful completion of all work requirements. Under this function, 
the NABDC shall: (1) Execute signed work plan agreements and engagement 
letters with clients; (2) Formally describe the methodology that will 
be used in achieving the work plan objectives for each client; (3) 
Input progress/results to the performance database in a timely manner. 
(4) Establish procedures for collecting and accounting for all fees 
charged to clients; (5) Maintain records/files for all work charged to 
the program and clients; (6) Obtain written acceptance and verification 
(with client signatures) of services provided to its clients. For 
services reported, documentation must be in the NABDC's client files 
within 30 days after the end of every quarter in which a client 
receives services; (7) Comply with all reporting requirements provided 
upon award; (8) Cooperate with MBDA in maintaining content for the 
Phoenix/Opportunity databases, Resource Locator, and other online tools 
located at www.mbda.gov; and (9) Promote and utilize the services and 
resources of other MBDA programs, sponsored efforts and/or voluntary 
activities. The NABDC shall identify MBDA as the funding sponsor by 
providing signs worded as follows:

----------------------------------------------------------------------
    (geographic area)

Native American Business Development CenterTM
Operated by------------------------------------------------------------

Funded By: Minority Business Development Agency (MBDA), U.S. 
Department of Commerce

    These signs should be highly visible to the NABDC clients and 
general public. They should be prominently displayed on entrances and 
doors. Include the name of MBDA on all stationery, letterhead, 
brochures, etc. The NABDC is not authorized to use either the 
Department's official seal or the MBDA logo in any of its publications, 
documents or materials without specific written approval from the U.S. 
Department of Commerce. Identify the NABDC immediately when answering 
the telephone. If the recipient also requires that its organization's 
name be given, it should be provided only after the NABDC has been 
verbally identified to a caller. Refer to MBDA in all advocacy and 
outreach efforts such as speaking engagements, news conferences, etc.
    The term Native American Business Development Center (NABDC) is a 
trademark of the Federal Government, and the Government reserves 
exclusive rights in the term. Permission to use the term is granted to 
the award recipient for the sole purpose of representing the activities 
of the award recipient in the fulfillment of the terms of the financial 
assistance award. The Minority Business Development Agency reserves the 
right to control the quality of the use of the term by the award 
recipient. Whenever possible, for example in promotional literature and 
stationery, use the TM designation as in Native American 
Business Development CenterTM.
    4. Developing and Maintaining a Network of Strategic Partners. The 
work requirements for an award recipient under the NABDC Program 
include the development of a network of 3 alliances between the NABDC 
and key strategic partners selected by the recipient. The NABDC is 
required to establish the network of 3 Strategic Partners within 120 
days after the award. The NABDC is required to maintain these alliances 
throughout the duration of the award. The NABDC must replace a 
Strategic Partner within 45 days after termination of a previously 
established alliance. The Strategic Partners shall be public or private 
sector organizations located within the project's geographic service 
area that are positioned to assist the project to achieve its goals for 
assisting the minority business community established under the terms 
of the award. Strategic Partners may include:
     Minority Business Enterprise (MBE) programs operated by 
state, county or city governments;
     Chambers of Commerce or trade associations focused on the 
needs of the Native American business community;
     Small Business Development Centers, or other college and 
university entrepreneurial development programs;
     Community Development Corporations (CDCs);
     Banks and financial institutions; and
     Faith organizations having economic development 
components, whose activities are not used for

[[Page 58995]]

purposes the essential thrust of which is sectarian.
    Each Strategic Partner shall be evidenced by a written Memorandum 
of Understanding (MOU) that expressly sets forth the conditions under 
which the partners agree to operate. Specifically, the Strategic 
Partners must agree to serve as a local resource for Native American-
owned businesses seeking to obtain NABDC services. The Strategic 
Partner must at a minimum:
     Provide effective guidance to Native American 
entrepreneurs in accessing MBDA's computer-based business assistance 
tools which are available on-site at the Strategic Partner's location;
    Examples of other kinds of activities that might be required of the 
Strategic Partner include, but are not limited to:
     Designate appropriate office space within their facilities 
for providing NABDC services;
     Establish a library of training materials, how-to guides, 
business publications and other information, both in print and 
electronic format, to be made available to Native American 
entrepreneurs on a walk-in basis;
     Provide high-quality business counseling to Native 
American business enterprises if the Strategic Partner is one that 
offers direct client counseling;
     Provide intake services for the NABDC with respect to 
Native American firms who approach the Strategic Partner for assistance 
but require counseling by the NABDC;
     Provide Native American firms with high-quality referrals 
to outside resources where the firm has a need for specialized 
assistance which is outside the scope of the NABDC Program;
     Support the NABDC project in coordinating MED Week 
activities within the geographic service area;
    In selecting Strategic Partners, award recipient should consider 
establishing a diverse group that appropriately reflects the needs of 
the Native American business community within the service area. The 
skills, abilities and areas of concentration on the part of the 
Strategic Partners should be complementary, and collectively the skills 
and abilities of the Strategic Partners should complement those of the 
NABDC project operator.
    In exchange for its compliance with the foregoing terms, and such 
other terms as the parties may seek to establish, the Strategic Partner 
will be eligible to serve as a host for the MBDA suite of business 
development tools described in the Enhancing the NABDCs Through 
Technology subsection of this Notice. The Strategic Partner will also 
be authorized to make public its relationship with MBDA through the 
NABDC project, and to refer to the partnership in brochures, 
advertisements, press releases and other media. Through the MOU 
relationship, the Strategic Partner will also be entitled to receive 
direct access to MBDA's information base of case studies, best 
practices, market research, and statistical data.

Computer Requirements

    MBDA requires that all award recipients meet certain requirements 
related to the acquisition, installation, configuration, maintenance 
and security of information technology (IT) assets in order to ensure 
seamless and productive interface between and among all grant 
recipients, Native American-owned businesses, the MBDA federal IT 
system and the public. These required assets and their configuration 
are hereinafter referred to as the ``enterprise.'' The basic components 
of the enterprise are the desktop workstations, the server, local area 
network (LAN) components and a connection to the Internet.
    At a minimum, the grantee shall provide one (1) desktop computer 
for the exclusive use of each employee delivering Native American 
business assistance to the public under an award from MBDA. All desktop 
computers shall be inter-connected with a Server computer using an 
Ethernet protocol enabling communication with all workstations on the 
network. The Server shall have a constant, active connection to the 
Internet during all business hours. The recipient shall ensure that 
each of his/her employees, to include management, administrative 
personnel, contractors, full-time, part-time, and non-paid (volunteer) 
staff have a unique electronic mail (email) address available to the 
public. Award recipient shall design, develop and maintain, in 
accordance with the computer requirements, a presence on the Internet's 
World Wide Web and shall maintain appropriate computer and network 
security precautions during all periods of funding by MBDA. All IT 
requirements, as described herein, shall be met within 30 calendar days 
after the award.
    1. Network Design: At all locations where services are delivered to 
the eligible public as defined by Executive Order 11625, the recipient 
shall operate a ``Client-Server'' configured local area network (LAN) 
enabling each staff person delivering services to the eligible public 
exclusive access to a personal computer workstation during all business 
hours. MBDA shall, from time to time, designate certain configurations 
of the enterprise hardware and software to meet interface requirements. 
Currently, MBDA recommends servers use an operating system that is 
fully compatible with Microsoft Windows NT 4.0 with a service pack five 
(5) update. Primary Domain Control (PDC) servers or any server 
providing principal service to the desktops shall contain 18 or more 
gigabytes (GB) of hard drive space using two or more 9 GB+ disks 
configured appropriately to ensure data retention should one disk fail. 
At least one (1) Pentium III processor (CPU), or a CPU ensuring similar 
speed, shall be used in the PDC server or any other server providing 
principal service to the desktops. Web servers, mail servers and/or 
servers maintained by a third party such as an Internet Service 
Provider (ISP) shall meet the minimum server specifications as stated 
herein. A ``trusted'' relationship, as appropriate, shall be 
established and maintained between the MBDA PDC server and those 
operated by, or operated for, the recipient to ensure access by MBDA 
system administration personnel during normal business hours. (In a 
network that consists of two or more domains, each domain acts as a 
separate network with its own accounts database. Even in the most 
rigidly stratified organizations, some users in one domain will need to 
use some or all of the resources in another domain. The usual solution 
to confirming user access levels among domains is what's called a trust 
relationship.) From time to time, MBDA will require access to servers 
and desktop workstations after business hours and on holidays and 
weekends. For this purpose, the recipient shall ensure appropriate 
communications links are active and appropriate personnel on station, 
upon 24-hour notice from MBDA.
    2. Desktop Workstations: All desktop systems shall be not less than 
two (2) calendar years old at time of award and shall contain a 
processor (CPU) operating at speeds not less than 400 Megahertz (Mhz). 
Each desktop system shall contain a hard drive with a storage capacity 
of at least 5 GB. All desktop systems shall have installed an operating 
system fully compatible with Microsoft Windows NT with MS Office 97 
Professional Edition or higher, Microsoft Internet Explorer 4.x. Since 
workstations may be linked to a live, two-way conference connection 
with potential clients, at least 50% of all employee workstations shall 
be fully operational with a qualified staff person positioned at the 
keyboard during all business hours to include lunch and break periods.
    3. Maintenance and Security: A network map (``as-built'') 
reflecting adherence to the computer and

[[Page 58996]]

networking requirements set forth herein shall be maintained by the 
recipient for review by MBDA at any time. Each recipient shall 
designate and train one administrative person competent in the 
operation of an operations system fully compatible with Windows NT 4.0 
network and local area network (LAN) technology as described herein. If 
a firewall, proxy server or similar security component is used, MBDA's 
server shall be ``trusted'' for full access to all files relevant for 
network and administrative operations. From time to time, MBDA shall 
require certain software be loaded on servers and desktops. In any 
given year, the cost of this additional software should not exceed 
$200.00 per workstation and $500.00 per server. Every employee of the 
Center shall be assigned a unique username and password to access the 
system. Every employee shall be required to sign a written computer 
security agreement. (A suggested format for the computer security 
agreement will be provided at the time of award.) Every manager, 
employee, and contractor and any other person given access to the 
computer system shall sign the security agreement and an original copy 
of the signed agreement shall be kept in the Center's files. A 
photocopy of the agreement shall be sent by fax to MBDA at: (202) 482-
2696 no later than 30 days after the award. All subsequent new hires 
and associations requiring access to Center or MBDA systems shall read, 
understand and sign the security agreement prior to issuance of a 
password. No employee shall have access to the MBDA system without a 
signed security agreement on file at MBDA.
    4. Web site: Each recipient shall create and maintain a public web 
site using a unique address (e.g., www.center-name.com). The first page 
(Index page) of the web site shall clearly identify the recipient as a 
Native American Business Development Center funded by the U.S. 
Department of Commerce's Minority Business Development Agency. The 
Index page of the web site shall load on software fully compatible with 
Windows Internet Explorer 4.x browser software using a normal home 
computer with 56Kb/s analog phone line connection in less than ten (10) 
seconds. The web site shall contain the names of all managers and 
employees, the business and mailing address of the Center, business 
phone and fax numbers and email addresses of the Center and employees, 
a statement referencing the services available at the Center, the hours 
under which the Center operates and a link to the MBDA homepage 
(www.mbda.gov). For purpose of electronically directing clients to the 
appropriate Center staff, the web site shall also contain a short 
biographical statement for each employee of the Center including 
management, contractors, part-time, full time, and non-paid (volunteer) 
personnel, providing services directly to the eligible public under an 
award from MBDA. This biographical statement shall contain: the full 
name of the employee, and a brief description of the expertise of the 
employee to include academic degrees, certifications and any other 
pertinent information with respect to that employee's qualifications to 
deliver Native American business assistance services to eligible 
members of the public.
    No third party advertising of commercial goods and services shall 
be permitted on the site. All links from the site to other than 
federal, state or local government agencies and non-profit educational 
institutions must be requested, in advance and in writing, through the 
Chief Information Officer, MBDA Office of Information Technology 
Services to the Grants Office for written approval. Such approval shall 
not be unreasonably withheld but approval is subject to withdrawal if 
MBDA determines the linked site unsuitable. No employee of the Center, 
nor any other person, shall use the Center web site for any purpose 
other than that approved under the terms of the agreement between the 
recipient and MBDA. Every page of the web site shall be reviewed by the 
recipient for accuracy, currency, and appropriateness every three (3) 
months. Appropriate privacy notices and handicapped accessibility will 
be predominately featured. From time to time, MBDA shall audit the 
recipient's web site and recommend changes in accordance with the 
guidelines set forth herein.
    5. Time for Compliance: Within 30 days after the award, the 
recipient shall report via email to the Chief Information Officer, MBDA 
Office of Information Technology Services and the Grants Officer that 
he/she has complied with all technical requirements as specified 
herein. Within 30 days after the award, the recipient shall report the 
name, contact telephone numbers and email addresses of the Project 
Director, Network or System Administrator. As appropriate, the 
recipient shall also provide the telephone number and email address for 
the Technical Contact at the Internet Service Provider (ISP) providing 
Internet access for the grantee, the IP number of the Domain Name 
Server (DNS) and/or Primary Domain Control (PDC) server, and any other 
technical information as specified in the Technology Requirements.
    6. Performance System: All required performance reporting to MBDA 
shall be conducted via the Internet using the Performance system to be 
found at a secure web site (partner.mbda.gov). Within 30 days after the 
award, each business development specialist (BDS) and/or anyone 
providing business assistance to the public under the award shall have 
satisfactorily completed the Performance System Training Course (PSTC). 
This course is available on-line from the Performance web site 
(partner.mbda.gov). Only those persons giving direct assistance to the 
eligible public shall be given passwords and access to enter 
Performance data into the system. Only trained staff shall enter data 
into the Performance system. The person giving service to the client 
should enter performance data, not by administrative personnel. There 
shall be no ``sharing'' of passwords on the Performance system. 
Although not required, MBDA encourages input of information on a daily 
basis.
    7. Data Integrity: The recipient shall take the necessary steps to 
ensure that all data entered into MBDA systems, and systems operated by 
the recipient in support of the award, or by any employee of the 
recipient is accurate and timely.

Performance Measures

    In accordance with 15 CFR parts 14 and 24, applicants selected will 
be responsible for the effective management of all functions and 
activities supported by the financial assistance award. Recipients will 
be required to use program performance measures in a performance report 
due thirty (30) days after the end of the second quarter and to provide 
an end-of-year assessment of the accomplishments of the project using 
these measures. The end-of-year or final performance report is due 90 
days after the end of the budget year. Once the project is awarded, the 
evaluation criteria, along with the assigned weight value, to be used 
for measuring the project performance on an ongoing basis are:
    1. The number of completed work products (20);
    2. The dollar value of transactions (40);
    3. The number of Strategic Partners (20);
    4. Operational Quality (20);
     Number of new clients (5);
     Number of Client Service Hours (5);
     Client Satisfaction (5);
     Management Score (5).

[[Page 58997]]

    The minimum performance goals required for the above listed 
performance measures for the solicited geographic service area is 
outlined under the Funding Availability sub-heading for the geographic 
service area. The minimum performance goals are listed on an annual 
basis and will be broken out into quarterly increments by recipients, 
within 30 days after the award, for actual evaluation purposes.

Definitions

    Completed Work Product--Completed work product consists of work 
assignments which the project performs under a professional engagement 
of an eligible client firm. For a task to constitute completed work 
product it is necessary that the task:
    (1) Be one requiring the business expertise of the project staff;
    (2) Be agreed to by the client;
    (3) Be fully completed and delivered to the client; and
    (4) Be performed in a high quality and professional manner.
    Dollar Value of Transactions--The dollar value of completed 
financial transactions represents the total principal value of executed 
contracts, approved loans, equity financing, acquisitions, mergers, or 
other binding financial agreements secured by clients of the project, 
with the assistance of project staff. For purposes of this performance 
element, eligible financial transactions are those which have a 
specific dollar value, and which increase the revenues of the client 
firm, expand its capital base, or produce some other direct commercial 
benefit for client firms. In order to be deemed complete, a financial 
transaction must be documented by an executed and binding agreement 
between the client firm and a party capable of performing its 
obligations under the terms of the agreement.
    MBDA recognizes that the financial obligations evidenced by these 
transactions may be long-term, and require performance over an extended 
period. Consequently, it is not necessary that the funds or other 
financial value specified under the agreements have actually changed 
hands for the project to receive credit under this performance element, 
so long as the agreement of the parties is documented and binding.
    Operational Quality--Operational quality refers to the quality and 
effectiveness of the project operator's delivery of client services, as 
evidenced by the following performance elements relating to the day-to-
day management of the project:
    (1) Number of new clients;
    (2) Number of client service hours;
    (3) Client satisfaction; and
    (4) Management assessment.
    Client satisfaction will be determined through a consultation 
process with clients of the individual NABDC. The consultation will be 
used to rate the level of quality for client satisfaction.
    The management assessment reflects MBDA's own evaluation of the 
overall management of the project, based on the Agency's internal 
review of the project's operations. The management assessment reflects 
such areas as the development of written engagement letters and work 
plans, proper staffing, adherence to scheduled work hours, 
recordkeeping, and any other areas which MBDA may deem to be relevant 
to determining the overall quality of the project's operations.
    Strategic Partners--Strategic partners are those organizations with 
whom the recipient enters into specific agreements for mutual support. 
Strategic partners may be either public or private sector institutions, 
must have a clear mission, and must have a permanent organizational 
structure. Individuals or organizations that have a loosely defined 
structure or that operate on an ad hoc basis will not be considered as 
strategic partners for purposes of this performance element. MBDA will 
have no relationship with or responsibility to strategic partners.
    In order to get credit for obtaining a strategic partner, a project 
operator must prepare a written agreement identifying:
    (1) The responsibilities and duties which the project and the 
strategic partner each agree to undertake;
    (2) The resources which each party agrees to commit to the 
partnership;
    (3) The goals which the project and the strategic partner each seek 
to achieve by entering into the partnership; and
    (4) The point of contact within the strategic partner organization 
for issues involving the partnership.

That strategic partners will not be allowed to charge and collect fees 
for services related to the project.

Performance Standards

    The year-to-date performance of an NABDC will be based on the 
following rating system:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                   Minimum required
   Minimum required percent of     points needed for
  goals needed for each rating        each rating      Rating categories
            category                   category
------------------------------------------------------------------------
100% and above*.................  Above 100**.......  Excellent
At least 90%....................  90-100............  Commendable
At least 80%....................  80-90.............  Good
At least 75%....................  75-79.............  Satisfactory
At least 70%....................  70-74.............  Marginal
Below 70%.......................  Below 70.0........  Unsatisfactory
------------------------------------------------------------------------
 \*\Not to exceed 110%
 \**\Not to exceed 110 points

Performance Incentives

    MBDA recognizes and rewards those NABDCs that have maintained high 
performance throughout their award (three funding periods). NABDCs can 
earn additional 2 bonus funding periods without competition based upon 
their overall actual year-to-date performance for the duration of the 
award. The NABDC Performance Standards outlined above allow each NABDC 
with an overall ``excellent'' rating for its performance during the 
initial competitive funding period to qualify for up to 2 additional 
funding periods without further competition. A year-to-date excellent 
rating for the first two funding periods and part of the third funding 
period of an award will result in ``bonus funding periods'' as follows:
     Performance of at least 25% above the minimum goal in each 
performance element for at least 28 months will allow an NABDC to 
receive one bonus funding period. Therefore, the award can total up to 
four funding periods prior to a required competition.
     Performance of at least 25% above the minimum goal in each 
performance element for at least 6 months of the first bonus funding 
period will allow an NABDC to receive a second bonus funding period. 
Therefore, the award can total up to five funding periods prior to a 
required competition.
    No award may be longer than five funding periods without 
competition no

[[Page 58998]]

matter what an NABDC's performance happens to be.
    Funding Availability: MBDA anticipates that a total of 
approximately $188 thousand will be available in FY 2002 for Federal 
assistance under this program, based upon Native American population, 
the size of the market and its need for MBDA resources. MBDA issues 
this notice subject to appropriations made available under the current 
continuing resolution H.J. Res.74 Continuing Appropriation FY2002 
signed by the President, November 17, 2001, P.L. 107-70. MBDA 
anticipates making this award provided that funding for the NABDC 
Program is continued beyond December 7, 2001, the expiration of the 
current continuing resolution. Issuance of this award, however, is 
subject to the future availability of fiscal year 2002 funds. 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 canceled because of other agency priorities.
    Geographic Service Areas: An operator must provide services to 
eligible clients within its specified geographic service area. MBDA has 
defined the service area for the award below. To determine its 
geographic service areas, MBDA uses states, counties, Metropolitan 
Areas (MA), which comprise metropolitan statistical areas (MSA), 
consolidated metropolitan statistical areas (CMSA) and primary 
metropolitan statistical areas (PMSA) as defined by the OMB Committee 
on MAs (See: attachment to OMB Bulletin 99-04, Revised Statistical 
Definitions of Metropolitan Areas (MAs) and Guidance on Uses of MA 
Definitions found at http://www.whitehouse.gov/ OMB/bulletins/
index.html) and other demographic boundaries as specified herein. 
Services to eligible clients outside of an operator's specified service 
area may be requested, on a case-by-case basis, through the appropriate 
MBDA Regional Director and granted by the Grants Officer.
    Application: New Mexico Statewide.
    Geographic Service Area: State of New Mexico.
    Award Number: 06-10-02001-01.
    The recipient is required to maintain its NABDC in Albuquerque, New 
Mexico. Contingent upon the availability of Federal funds, the cost of 
performance for each of the three 12-month funding periods from January 
1, 2002 to December 31, 2004, is estimated at $188,000. The total 
Federal amount is $188,000. The minimum cost share of 15% is not 
required.
    The minimum goals for the NABDC are:
    Completed Work Products: 124.
    Dollar Value of Transactions: $13,976,471.
    Number of New Clients: 146.
    Number of Client Service Hours: 2,475.
    Pre-Application Conference: For the exact date, time and place, 
contact the Dallas Regional Office at (214) 767-8001.
    For Further Information and a copy of the application kit, contact 
John Iglehart, Regional Director.
    Matching Requirements: It is not required that an applicant for an 
award to operate an NABDC propose a cost-share contribution. Cost 
sharing is the portion of the project cost not borne by the Federal 
Government. However, an applicant may propose a cost-share contribution 
in any of the following four means or a combination thereof: (1) Cash 
contributions, (2) non-cash applicant contributions, (3) third party 
in-kind contributions, and (4) client fees for services rendered.
    If the NABDC chooses to contribute a cost-share amount by charging 
fees, there are policy restrictions with which it must comply:
    First, client fees charged for one-on-one assistance must be based 
on a rate of $100 per hour. Second, the NABDC must set fee rates based 
on the following chart:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                  Base rate    Percent of
 Gross receipts of base client  for services   cost borne    Client fee
                                  rendered      by client     per hour
------------------------------------------------------------------------
$0-99,999.....................      $100.00           10%        $10.00
$100,000-299,999..............      $100.00           20%        $20.00
$300,000-999,999..............      $100.00           30%        $30.00
$1 Million-2,999,999..........      $100.00           40%        $40.00
$3 Million-4,999,999..........      $100.00           50%        $50.00
$5 Million and Above..........      $100.00           60%        $60.00
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Third, the NABDC must contribute cash for uncollected fees that 
were included as part of the cost sharing contribution committed for 
this award. Fourth, client fees applied directly to the award's cost 
sharing requirement must be used in furtherance of the program 
objectives. Fifth, if the NABDC elects to charge fees, they must be 
charged to all eligible clients, regardless of minority group 
identification.
    Funding Instrument: Financial assistance awards will be in the form 
of a cooperative agreement. MBDA's substantial involvement with 
recipients will include performing the following duties to further the 
NABDC's objectives:
    a. Post-Award Conference--MBDA shall conduct a post-award 
conference for the NABDC award recipient to insure that each NABDC has 
a clear understanding of the program and its components. The conference 
will: (1) Provide an MBDA Directory for NABDCs and orient NABDC program 
officers; (2) Explain program reporting requirements and procedures; 
(3) Identify available resources that can enhance the capabilities of 
the NABDC; and (4) Provide detailed information about MBDA's business 
and other information systems.
    b. Networking, Promotion and Information Exchange--MBDA shall 
provide the following: (1) Access to business information systems, 
which support the work of the NABDC, as described in the Enhancing the 
NABDCs Through Technology section. This information will be provided by 
MBDA's Office of Information Technology. The specific information 
systems and access to them will be provided at the time of the award; 
(2) Sponsor one national and at least one regional conference; (3) 
Expand the Phoenix data bank of Native American-owned firms by 
requiring other MBDA-funded programs to provide additional entries; (4) 
Promote the exchange of business opportunity information within the 
MBDA funded system using the Phoenix and Opportunity databases located 
at www.mbda.gov; (5) Work closely with the NABDC to establish a system 
in which procurement and contract opportunities can be shared with the 
network of NABDCs. This system will include opportunities identified 
throughout the MBDA network using the Phoenix and Opportunity databases 
located at

[[Page 58999]]

www.mbda.gov; (6) Help promote special events to be scheduled at the 
local community, state and national levels in celebration of MED Week, 
which occurs annually; and (7) Identify Federal, state and local 
governments, and private sector market opportunities to the NABDCs 
using the Phoenix and Opportunity databases located at www.mbda.gov.
    c. Project Monitoring--MBDA will systematically monitor the 
performance of the NABDC. This monitoring includes regular review of 
data input to the performance database system, assessment of the end of 
the second quarter progress report, and an on-site review, when deemed 
necessary and appropriate by the regional office, of the center's 
client files to verify NABDC performance, reported assistance and 
interviews with clients assisted. In consultation with clients of the 
individual NABDC, MBDA will assess the Center's effectiveness in 
providing business development services to their respective Native 
American business communities. MBDA will then provide a report of 
findings and recommendations for improvement as a result of evaluations 
and monitoring visits. MBDA will approve qualifications of key NABDC 
staff and respond in a timely manner to correspondence requesting MBDA 
action.
    Eligibility Criteria: For-profit and non-profit organizations 
(including sole-proprietorships), state and local government entities, 
American Indian Tribes, and educational institutions are eligible to 
operate NABDCs.
    Award Period: The total award period is three (3) years. Applicants 
must submit project plans and budgets for three years. The annual 
awards must have Scopes of Work that are clearly severable and can be 
easily separated into annual increments of meaningful work that will 
produce measurable programmatic objectives. Maintaining the 
severability of each annual funding request is necessary to ensure the 
orderly management and closure of a project in the event funding is not 
available for the second or third year continuation of the project. 
Projects will be funded for no more than one year at a time. Funding 
for subsequent years will be at the sole discretion of the Department 
of Commerce (DoC) and will depend on satisfactory performance by the 
recipient and the availability of funds to support the continuation of 
the project. Project proposals accepted for funding will not compete 
for funding in subsequent funding periods within the approved award 
period. Publication of this notice does not obligate MBDA or DoC to 
award any specific cooperative agreement or to obligate all or any part 
of available funds.
    Proposal Format Requirements: The structure of the proposal should 
contain the following headings, in the following order:

I. Table of Contents

II. Program Narrative

    1. Applicant Capability
    2. Resources
    3. Techniques and Methodologies
    4. Costs

III. Forms
    Pages of the proposal should be numbered consecutively.
    Evaluation Criteria: Proposals will be evaluated and applicants 
will be selected based on the following criteria.
    1. Applicant Capability (45 points).
    The applicant's proposal will be evaluated with respect to the 
applicant firm's experience and expertise in providing the work 
requirements listed. Specifically, the proposals will be evaluated as 
follows:
     Level of experience in and knowledge of the Native 
American business sector and strategies for enhancing its growth and 
profitability (10 points);
     Extent of resources and professional relationships within 
the corporate, banking and investment community that may be beneficial 
to Native American-owned firms (10 points);
     Level of experience and expertise in advocating on behalf 
of Native American businesses, both as to specific transactions in 
which a Native American business seeks to engage, and as to broad 
market advocacy for the benefit of the Native American community at 
large (10 points); and
     Assessment of the qualifications, experience and proposed 
role of staff who will operate the project, including possessing the 
expertise in utilizing information systems as contemplated under the 
Computer Requirements section of this Notice. (15 points).
    Qualifications of the project director of the NABDC are of 
particular importance and must be included as part of the application, 
along with an original copy of his/her college transcript and a letter 
committing to one (1) year's service. Position descriptions and 
qualification standards for all staff should be included as part of the 
application. Applicants must provide a copy of their Articles of 
Incorporation, by-laws and IRS 501(c)(3) non-profit letter or other 
evidence of non-profit status.
    2. Resources (25 points).
    The applicant's proposal will be evaluated according to the 
following sub-criteria:
     Adequacy of the plan to recruit, establish and maintain 
the network of 3 Strategic Partners (10 points).
     Adequacy of your plan to accomplish the computer hardware 
and software requirements (5 points).
     Likelihood of obtaining resources (not included as part of 
the cost-sharing arrangement) that will be used. Include commitment 
letters from those resources listed and indicate their willingness to 
work with the applicant. These resources can include such items as 
computer facilities, voluntary staff time and space, and financial 
resources. Three to five letters of support (with telephone numbers) 
from business or community organizations should be included from those 
resources willing to work with the applicant (10 points).
    3. Techniques and Methodologies (20 points).
    The applicant's proposal will be evaluated with respect to the 
proposed action plans and operation techniques. Specifically, the 
proposals will be evaluated as follows:
     The applicant's specific plan-of-action detailing how each 
work requirement, except for Strategic Partners which is addressed 
under Resources, will be met and how the techniques to be used will be 
implemented. The applicant will be evaluated on the effectiveness and 
efficiency of use of all staff time to achieve the work requirements 
(10 points).
     Fulfillment of performance measures will be evaluated by 
relating each one to the financial, information and market resources 
available in the geographic service area to the applicant and how the 
goals will be met (10 points).
    4. Proposed Budget (10 points).
    The applicant's proposal will be evaluated on the following sub-
criteria:
     Reasonableness, allowability and allocability of costs (10 
points).
    Bonus Points: Proposed cost sharing, although not a requirement for 
NABDC application, will be awarded bonus points on the following scale: 
more than 0-5%--1 point; 6-10%--2 points; 11-15%--3 points; 16-20%--4 
points; and over 20%--5 points.
    An application must receive an average of at least 70% of the total 
points available for all four evaluation criterion, in order for the 
application to be considered for funding.
    Project Funding Priorities: MBDA is especially interested in 
receiving innovative proposals that focus on the following: (1) 
Identifying and working

[[Page 59000]]

to eliminate barriers which limit the access of Native American 
businesses to markets and capital; (2) identifying and working to meet 
the special needs of Native American businesses seeking to obtain 
large-scale contracts (in excess of $500,000) with institutional 
customers; and (3) promoting the understanding and use of Electronic 
Commerce by the Native American business community.
     Management Fee
    For-profit as well as not-for-profit organizations may negotiate 
their management fees, but they shall not exceed 7% of total estimated 
direct costs (Federal plus non-Federal) for the proposed award.
     Program Income
    Many of MBDA's business development services programs allow their 
awardees to charge a fee for services rendered to clients. Where 
applicable, fees are considered program income and shall be accounted 
for and may be used to finance the non-Federal cost-share of the 
project. Any excess fee income shall be used to further the program 
purpose in accordance with the terms and conditions of the award.

Selection Procedures

    Prior to the formal paneling process, each application will receive 
an initial screening to ensure that all required forms, signatures and 
documentation are present. Each application will receive an 
independent, objective review by a panel qualified to evaluate the 
applications submitted. MBDA anticipates that the review panel will be 
made up of at least three independent reviewers who review all 
applications based on the above criteria. The review panel will 
evaluate and rank the proposals. The Director of MBDA makes the final 
recommendation to the Department of Commerce Grants Officer regarding 
the funding of applications, taking into account the following 
selection criteria:
    1. The evaluations and rankings of the independent review panel;
    2. The degree to which applications address MBDA priorities as 
established under the project funding priorities;
    3. The availability of funding.
    Intergovernmental Review: Applications under this program are not 
subject to Executive Order 12372, ``Intergovernmental Review of Federal 
Programs.''
    Application Forms and Package: Standard Forms 424, Application for 
Federal Assistance; 424A, Budget Information-Non-Construction Programs; 
and 424B, Assurances-Non-Construction Programs, SF-LLL (Rev. 7-97); 
Department of Commerce forms, CD-346, Applicant for Funding Assistance, 
CD-511, Certifications Regarding Debarment, Suspension and Other 
Responsibility matters: Drug-Free Workplace Requirements and Lobbying, 
CD-512, Certifications Regarding Debarment, Suspension, Ineligibility 
and Voluntary Exclusion-Lower Tier Covered Transactions and Lobbying 
shall be used in applying for financial assistance. These forms may be 
obtained by (1) contacting MBDA as described in the ``CONTACT'' section 
above; (2) by downloading Standard forms at www.whitehouse.gov/OMB/grants/index.html; (3) and Department of Commerce forms may be 
downloaded at www.doc.gov/forms; or (4) by applying on-line via the 
World Wide Web at MBDA's web site located at www.mbda.gov/egrants.

Unsuccessful Competition

    On occasion, competitive solicitations or competitive panels may 
produce less than optimum results, such as competition resulting in the 
receipt of no applications or competition resulting in all unresponsive 
applications received. If the competition results in the receipt of 
only one application, it may or may not require additional action from 
MBDA depending upon the competitive history of the area, the quality of 
the application received, and the time and cost limits involved. In the 
event that any or all of these conditions arise, MBDA shall take the 
most time and cost-effective approach available that is in the best 
interest of the Government. This includes, but is not limited to: (1) 
Re-competition or (2) Re-Paneling or (3) Negotiation.
    Disposition of Unsuccessful Applications: Upon the execution of an 
award by the Department of Commerce, MBDA will notify the unsuccessful 
applicants, in writing, indicating the winner of the award and 
indicating a 30-day timeframe in which to request return of the 
unsuccessful application. Once this 30-day notice has lapsed, MBDA will 
destroy all unsuccessful applications.
    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 October 1, 2001 (66 FR 
49917), are applicable to this solicitation.
    Paperwork Reduction Act: This Notice 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, and 0348-0046. 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 displays a current valid OMB Control Number.
    Executive Order 12866: This Notice was determined to be not 
significant for purposes of Executive Order 12866.

    Dated: November 20, 2001.

Edith Jett McCloud,
Associate Director for Management, Minority Business Development 
Agency.

Juanita E. Berry,
Federal Register Liaison Officer, Minority Business Development Agency.
[FR Doc. 01-29360 Filed 11-23-01; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-21-P