[Federal Register Volume 69, Number 55 (Monday, March 22, 2004)]
[Notices]
[Page 13347]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 04-6352]



[[Page 13347]]

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SMALL BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION


Federal and State Technology Partnership Program To Provide 
Outreach and Technical Assistance to Small Technology-Based Businesses 
Interested in Becoming Involved or Presently Involved in Federal R&D 
Programs

AGENCY: Small Business Administration.

ACTION: Program Announcement No. FAST-04-R-0003.

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SUMMARY: The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) plans to issue 
Program Announcement No. FAST-04-R-0003 and invite applicants from the 
50 states, the District of Columbia, American Samoa, Guam, Virgin 
Islands and the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico to conduct outreach and 
provide technical assistance services to technology-based small 
business owners. This program is authorized by Sec.  34(c) of the Small 
Business Act (15 U.S.C. 657d(c)). There is a one proposal per state 
limitation on this competition. Only one proposal from each state may 
be submitted to SBA for consideration, and this application must have 
an original, signed Letter of Endorsement from the State Governor 
(Mayor for the District of Columbia). Prospective recipients of SBA 
funding under this Program Announcement include both new applicants and 
current FAST Program service providers. Eligible applicants include, 
but are not limited to, state and local Economic Development Agencies, 
colleges and universities and Small Businesses Development Centers. 
Funds will be provided to conduct programs for a 12-month budget and 
performance period. Applications/proposals must be postmarked by 4 
p.m., Eastern Daylight Time, May 5, 2004. If using a delivery service 
other than the U.S. Postal Service, the application must be delivered 
and accepted by the Office of Procurement and Grants Management by the 
deadline specified above. SBA will select successful applicants using a 
competitive process. Applications will be reviewed and awarded 
simultaneously for new and incumbent applicants under this 
Announcement. Applicants must plan to target women and minority small 
businesses as well as those small businesses not traditionally involved 
in the SBIR/STTR programs. Applicants' technical proposal must contain 
information about its current status and past performance (incumbent 
applicant's only), and a plan describing how the effort will be 
sustained once the grant expires. The FAST Program is authorized 
through Fiscal Year 2005 and will be competed annually, subject to 
availability of funds. There is a cascading non-Federal match 
requirement for this program. The non-federal match requirement ratios 
are based on state rankings derived from FY 2002 Phase I SBIR awards. 
These ratios are 1:1, 2:1, and 3:4. The program announcement will be 
available at http://www.sba.gov/sbir.

DATES: The application period will be from March 11, 2004 until May 5, 
2004.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Cherina Hughes, (202) 205-7344 
regarding the Program Announcement and Patricia Branch, (202) 205-7081 
about budget matters.

Edsel M. Brown, Jr.,
Assistant Administrator, SBA Office of Technology.
[FR Doc. 04-6352 Filed 3-19-04; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 8025-01-P