[Federal Register Volume 69, Number 248 (Tuesday, December 28, 2004)]
[Notices]
[Pages 77718-77720]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 04-28375]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

Economic Development Administration

[991215339-4346-14]


Solicitation of Proposals for the University Center (UC) Program

AGENCY: Economic Development Administration (EDA) Department of 
Commerce (DOC).

ACTION: Notice and request for proposals.

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SUMMARY: EDA is soliciting proposals for FY 2005 University Center 
funding in the areas served by its Philadelphia and Chicago regional 
offices. EDA's mission is to lead the federal economic development 
agenda by promoting innovation and competitiveness, preparing American 
regions for growth and success in the worldwide economy. Institutions 
of higher education have many assets, such as faculty, staff, 
libraries, laboratories, and computer systems, which can help to 
address local economic problems and opportunities. With funding from 
EDA, institutions of higher education establish and operate University 
Centers, which provide technical assistance to public and private 
sector organizations with the goal of enhancing local economic 
development. EDA has traditionally renewed an award to a University 
Center on an annual basis as long as it maintained a satisfactory level 
of performance and Congress appropriated funds for the program. In FY 
2004, EDA began a phased implementation of a three-year competitive 
grant cycle for all of its University Center projects, beginning with 
those in the Austin and Denver regional offices. With the competition 
announced in this notice for University Center projects in the areas 
served by EDA's Philadelphia and Chicago regional offices, EDA is 
continuing to phase in competition for University Center funding.

DATES: Proposals must be received by the appropriate EDA regional 
office by April 22, 2005, at 4 p.m. (EDT).

ADDRESSES: From proponents in Connecticut, Delaware, District of 
Columbia, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, 
New York, Pennsylvania, Puerto Rico, Rhode Island, Vermont, Virginia, 
Virgin Islands, and West Virginia: Economic Development Administration, 
Philadelphia Regional Office, Curtis Center, 601 Walnut Street, Suite 
140 South, Philadelphia, PA 19106.
    From proponents in Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Minnesota, Ohio, 
and Wisconsin: Economic Development Administration, Chicago Regional 
Office, 111 North Canal Street, Suite 844, Chicago, IL 60606.
    For a copy of the FFO announcement for this request for proposals, 
please see the Web site below listed under ``Electronic Access.''

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For additional information or for a 
paper copy of the FFO announcement, contact the appropriate EDA 
regional office listed above. EDA's Web site, http://222.eda.gov 
contains additional information on EDA and its program.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
    Electronic Access: EDA is not currently able to accept electronic 
submission of proposal packages. However, the full funding opportunity 
announcement for the FY 2005 Economic Development Assistance Programs 
competition is available through Grants.gov at http://www.grants.gov. 
Additional information is available through EDA's Web site, http://www.eda.gov.
    Funding Availability: Funding appropriated under Public Law 108-447 
is available for technical assistance programs authorized by the Public 
Works and Economic Development Act of 1965, as amended (Public Law 89-
136, 42 U.S.C. 3121, et seq.), and as further amended by Public Law 
105-393 and 108-373, and for trade adjustment assistance authorized 
under title II, chapters 3 and 5 of the Trade Act of 1974, as amended 
(19 U.S.C. 2341-2355;

[[Page 77719]]

2391), and as further amended by Public Law 107-210. Funds in the 
amount of $8,322,335 have been appropriated for FY 2005 and shall 
remain available until expended.
    EDA expects to allocate approximately $6.8 M to the University 
Center Program and the remaining funds to LEDA's Local and National 
Technical Assistance programs. The amount of University Center funding 
available for competition in FY 2005 is expected to be approximately 
$1,717,517 in the Philadelphia Regional Office and approximately 
$918,376 in the Chicago Regional Office. Anticipated annual awards for 
University Centers under the FY 2005 competition are in the $75,000 to 
$200,000 range. Regional Offices may, however, choose to fund proposals 
under this competition outside that range. The remaining FY 2005 
program funds will be used to continue support for current University 
Centers. Subject to the availability of funding, the funds made 
available under this Program are anticipated to be available until 
expended.
    Statutory Authority: The authority for programs listed below is the 
Public Works and Economic Development Act of 1965, as amended (Public 
Law 89-136, 42 U.S.C. 3121, et seq.) and as further amended by the 
Economic Development Administration Reauthorization Act (Public Law 
108-373).
    CFDA: 11.303, Economic Development--Technical Assistance.
    Eligibility: For the University Center program, EDA considers all 
accredited institutions of higher education as eligible applicants.
    For FY 2005 the University Center competition is open to eligible 
applicants in areas served by EDA's Philadelphia regional office and 
Chicago regional office. The Philadelphia regional office serves 
Connecticut, Delaware, District of Columbia, Maine, Maryland, 
Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, 
Puerto Rico, Rhodes Island, Vermont, Virginia, Virgin Islands, and West 
Virginia. The Chicago region serves Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, 
Minnesota, Ohio, and Wisconsin.
    Cost Sharing Requirements: Generally, the amount of the EDA grant 
may not exceed 50 percent of the cost of the project, unless the 
project meets the requirements in 42 U.S.C. 3144. Projects meeting the 
criteria may receive an additional amount that shall not exceed 30 
percent, based on the relative needs of the area in which the project 
will be located. See 42 U.S.C. 3144. While cash contributions are 
encouraged, in-kind contributions, fairly evaluated by EDA, may include 
assumptions of debt and contributions of space, equipment, and services 
and may provide the non-Federal share of the project cost. 42 U.S.C. 
3144. In-kind contributions must be eligible project costs and meet 
applicable Federal cost principles and uniform administrative 
requirements. Id. EDA may supplement the costs of a project up to and 
including 100 percent of such project costs where the applicant is able 
to demonstrate that the project meets the requirements of 42 U.S.C. 
3144(c). Potential applicants should contact the appropriate EDA office 
to make this determination.
    Funds from other Federal awards may not be considered matching 
funds. The nature of contribution (cash versus in-kind) and the amount 
of matching funds will be taken into consideration in the review 
process. Cash contributions are preferred.
    Intergovernmental Review: Applications under this program are 
subject to Executive Order 12372, ``Intergovernmental Review of Federal 
Programs.''
    Evaluation and Section Procedures: EDA's Philadelphia and Chicago 
regional offices will conduct an initial administrative and technical 
review of each proposal package to determine its completeness and 
compliance with requirements.
    EDA's Philadelphia and Chicago regional offices will then conduct 
an internal review of each proposal meeting the requirements of this 
solicitation. This review will be conducted by a minimum of three EDA 
staff using the criteria provided in the ``Evaluation Criteria'' 
section below. Successful proponents under this competition 
solicitation will be invited to submit a complete application by the 
Philadelphia or Chicago regional office.
    Evaluation Criteria: EDA investments in proposed University Centers 
will be competitively rated and ranked on their ability to meet or 
exceed the criteria set forth at 13 CFR 304.2, as further defined by 
the following investment policy guidelines (each criterion will be 
given equivalent weight):
    1. Be market-based and results driven. An investment in an EDA 
University Center will capitalize on the university's competitive 
strengths and will bolster regional economic competitiveness, resulting 
in tangible, quantifiable improvements in regional economic health--
such as increased numbers of higher-skill, higher-wage jobs, increased 
tax revenue or increased private sector investment.
    2. Have strong organizational leadership. An investment will have 
strong leadership, relevant project management experience, and a 
significant commitment of human resources talent to ensure a high-
performing University Center. Specifically for University Center 
investments, this includes; (a) the extent to which the proposed 
University Center will maximize coordination with other relevant 
organizations and avoid duplication of services offered by other 
organizations, (b) the extent to which the University Center will 
access, take advantage of, and be supported by the other resources 
present at the sponsoring institution--especially the institution's 
economic development activities, (c) the degree of evidence 
demonstrating the support and commitment (both financial and non-
financial) of the proposed University Center's mission from the 
leadership of the sponsoring institution.
    3. Advance productivity, innovation and entrepreneurship. An 
investment in a proposed University Center will embrace the principles 
of entrepreneurship; enhance regional industry clusters, and leverage 
and link technology innovators (university research) with the private 
sector to create the conditions for greater productivity, innovation 
and higher-skill, higher-wage job creation.
    4. Look beyond the immediate economic horizon, anticipate economic 
changes, and diversify the local and regional economy. A University 
Center's activities will be part of an overarching, long-term 
comprehensive economic development strategy that enhances a region's 
success in achieving a rising standard of living.
    5. Demonstrate a high degree of commitment by exhibiting:
     High levels of local government or non-profit matching 
funds and private sector leverage.
     Clear and unified leadership and support by local elected 
officials.
     Strong cooperation between the business sector, relevant 
regional partners and local, state and federal governments.
    In making its recommendations on which institutions should be 
invited to submit a full application, the EDA review team will strive 
to avoid the concentration of program funding in a single or very 
limited number of geographic areas. For that reason, EDA cannot predict 
a minimum ranking of a successful proposal.
    Selection Factors: EDA expects to fund the highest ranking 
proposals submitted under this competition of solicitation. However, 
EDA may

[[Page 77720]]

selected proposals out of order for several reasons including: (1) 
Availability of funding; (2) geographic balance in distribution of 
funds; (3) program priorities and policy factors as set out in the full 
funding opportunity announcement; or (4) applicant's performance under 
previous awards.

The 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), as amended by the Federal 
Register notice published on October 30, 2002 (67 FR 66109), are 
applicable to this solicitation.

Teleconference

    EDA's Philadelphia and Chicago regional offices will each hold a 
teleconference to answer questions about the FY 2005 competition for 
University Center funding.
    Philadelphia: The Philadelphia regional office will hold its call 
on March 23, 2005, at 2 p.m. EST. In order to assure enough incoming 
lines are available, EDA requests colleges and universities planning to 
participate in the conference call to send an email to 
[email protected] with ``Conference Call Registration'' in the subject 
line no later than 5 p.m. EST on March 18, 2005. The number for the 
conference call is 888-928-9122. The pass code for this conference call 
is ``PRO.''
    Chicago: The Chicago regional office will hold its call on March 
22, 2005, at 11 a.m. CST. In order to assure enough incoming lines are 
available, EDA requests colleges and universities planning to 
participate in the conference call to send an email to 
[email protected] with ``Conference Call Registration'' in the subject 
line no later than 5 p.m. CST on March 18, 2005. The number for 
conference call is 888-570-6152. The pass code for this conference call 
is ``54776.''

Paperwork Reduction Act

    This document contains collection-of-information requirements 
subject to the Paperwork Reduction Act (PRA). The use of Form ED-900P 
has been approved by OMB under the control number 0610-0094. 
Notwithstanding any other provision of law, no person is required to 
respond to, nor shall any person be subject to a penalty for failure to 
comply with, a collection of information subject to the requirements of 
the PRA unless that collection of information displays a currently 
valid OMB control number.

Executive Order 12866

    This notice has been determined to be not significant for purposes 
of Executive Order 12866.

Executive Order 13132 (Federalism)

    It has been determined that this notice does not contain policies 
with federalism implications as that term is defined in Executive Order 
13132.

Administrative Procedure Act/Regulatory Flexibility Act

    Prior notice and an opportunity for public comments are not 
required by the Administrative Procedure Act or any other law for rules 
concerning grants, benefits, and contracts (5 U.S.C. 553(a)(2)). 
Because notice and opportunity for comment are not required pursuant to 
5 U.S.C. 553 or any other law, the analytical requirements of the 
Regulatory Flexibility Act (5 U.S.C. 601 et seq.) are inapplicable. 
Therefore, a regulatory flexibility analysis has not been prepared.

    Dated: December 21, 2004.
David A. Sampson,
Assistant Secretary for Economic Development.
[FR Doc. 04-28375 Filed 12-27-04; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-24-M