[Federal Register Volume 71, Number 26 (Wednesday, February 8, 2006)]
[Notices]
[Pages 6449-6452]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E6-1675]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

Minority Business Development Agency

[Docket No: 980901228-6023-06]


Solicitation of Applications for the Minority Business 
Opportunity Center (MBOC) Program (Baton Rouge/New Orleans, LA)

AGENCY: Minority Business Development Agency, DOC.

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: In accordance with Executive Order 11625 and 15 U.S.C. Section 
1512, the Minority Business Development Agency (MBDA) is soliciting 
competitive applications from organizations to operate a Minority 
Business Opportunity Center (MBOC) (formerly Minority Business 
Opportunity Committees) in Baton Rouge/New Orleans, Louisiana. The 
Minority Business Opportunity Centers through their staff will provide 
brokering services and assistance to minority business enterprises 
(MBEs) that (a) generate $500,000 or more in annual gross revenues or 
(b) are capable of creating significant employment and long-term 
economic impact (commonly referred to as ``rapid growth-potential'' 
MBEs). In addition, MBOCs provide access to buyers of goods and 
services and procurement and financing opportunities within the public 
and private sectors. MBOC operators and executive directors should have 
experience in and knowledge of the local minority business sector and 
established working relationships with buying organizations. MBOCs are 
supported by a volunteer advisory committee that assists the MBOC in 
implementing program requirements and providing contract and financing 
opportunities to MBEs. The program is primarily evaluated by MBDA based 
on the number and dollar value of contracts and financial transactions 
awarded to minority business enterprises.

DATES: The closing date for receipt of applications is March 10, 2006. 
Completed applications must be received by MBDA no later than 5 p.m. 
Eastern Standard Time at the address below for paper submission or at 
http://www.Grants.gov for electronic submission. The due date and time 
is the same for electronic submissions as it is for paper submissions. 
The date the applications will be deemed to have been submitted 
electronically shall be the date and time received at Grants.gov. 
Applicants should save and print the proof of submission they receive 
from Grants.gov. Applications received after the closing date and time 
will not be considered. Anticipated time for processing is 
approximately sixty (60) days from the date of publication of this 
notice. MBDA anticipates that awards for the MBOC program will be made 
with a start date of April 1, 2006.

ADDRESSES: (1)(a) Paper Submission--If Mailed: If the application is 
mailed/shipped overnight by the applicant or its representative, one 
(1) signed original plus two (2) copies of the application must be 
submitted. Completed application packages must be mailed to: Office of 
Business Development--MBOC Program, 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.
    U.S. Department of Commerce delivery policies for Federal Express, 
UPS, and DHL overnight services require the packages to be sent to the 
address above.
    (1)(b) Paper Submission--If Hand-Delivered: If the application is 
hand-delivered by the applicant or his/her representative, one (1) 
signed original plus two (2) copies of the application must be 
delivered to: U.S. Department of Commerce, Minority Business 
Development Agency, Office of Business Development--MBOC Program 
(extension 1940), HCHB, Room 1874,

[[Page 6450]]

Entrance 10, 15th Street, NW., Washington, DC (Between 
Pennsylvania and Constitution Avenues).
    U.S. Department of Commerce ``hand-delivery'' policies state that 
Federal Express, UPS, and DHL overnight services submitted to the 
address listed above (Entrance 10) cannot be accepted. These 
policies should be taken into consideration when utilizing their 
services. MBDA will not accept applications that are submitted by the 
deadline but rejected due to Departmental hand-delivery policies. The 
applicant must adhere to these policies for its application to be 
considered for award.
    (2) Electronic Submission: Applicants are encouraged to submit 
their proposal electronically at http://www.Grants.gov. Electronic 
submissions should be made in accordance with the instructions 
available at Grants.gov (see http://www.grants.gov/ForApplicants for 
detailed information). MBDA strongly recommends that applicants not 
wait until the application deadline date to begin the application 
process through Grants.gov.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For further information, please visit 
MBDA's Minority Business Internet Portal at http://www.mbda.gov. Paper 
applications and Standard Forms may be obtained by contacting the MBDA 
National Enterprise Center (NEC) for the area in which the Applicant is 
located (See Agency Contacts section) or visiting MBDA's Portal at 
http://www.mbda.gov. Standard Forms 424, 424A, 424B, and SF-LLL can 
also be obtained at http://www.whitehouse.gov/omb/grants, or http://www.Grants.gov. Forms CD-511, and CD-346 may be obtained at http://www.doc.gov/forms.
    Responsibility for ensuring that applications are complete and 
received by MBDA on time is the sole responsibility of the Applicant.

Agency Contacts

    1. Office of Business Development, 14th and Constitution Avenues, 
Room 5073, Washington, DC 20230.
    Contact: Efrain Gonzalez, Program Manager at 202-482-1940.
    2. Dallas National Enterprise Center (NEC) is located at 1100 
Commerce Street, Suite 7B-23, Dallas, TX 75242. This region covers the 
states of Arkansas, Colorado, Louisiana, Montana, New Mexico, North 
Dakota, Oklahoma, South Dakota, Texas, Utah and Wyoming.
    Contact: John Iglehart, Regional Director, Dallas NEC at 214-767-
8001.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
    Electronic Access: A link to the full text of the Federal Funding 
Opportunity (FFO) Announcement for the MBOC Program can be found at 
http://www.Grants.gov or by contacting the appropriate MBDA 
representative identified above. The FFO is also available at http://www.mbda.gov. The FFO contains a full and complete description of the 
MBOC program requirements. In order to receive proper consideration, 
applicants must comply with all information and requirements contained 
in the FFO. Applicants will be able to access, download and submit 
electronic grant applications for the MBOC Program in this announcement 
at Grants.gov. MBDA strongly recommends that applicants not wait until 
the application deadline date to begin the application process through 
Grants.gov.
    Funding Availability: The total award period is one year, nine 
months. The Federal funding share in year 1 (April 1-December 31, 2006) 
is $195,000. MBDA anticipates the Federal funding share in year 2 
(January 1-December 31, 2007) will be $260,000 (subject to the 
availability of FY 2007 appropriations). MBDA anticipates funding only 
one (1) MBOC from this competitive Announcement.
    MBDA anticipates that 75 percent of the Federal funding share must 
be allocated to key staff, such as the Executive Director and Senior 
Business Development person(s). Applicants must submit project plans 
and budgets for each of the two funding periods. Projects will be 
funded for no more than one year at a time. Awardees will be eligible 
for one continuation period, for a total of one year, nine months. 
Project proposals accepted for funding will not compete for funding in 
the subsequent second budget period. Second year funding will depend 
upon satisfactory performance, availability of funds to support 
continuation of the project, Department of Commerce and MBDA 
priorities, and will be at the sole discretion of MBDA and the 
Department of Commerce. MBDA is soliciting competitive applications 
from organizations to operate one MBOC in the geographic area 
identified below. The maximum Federal Funding Amounts for each year are 
also shown.

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                                                                Federal amount year 1     Federal amount year 2
                     Applicant location                        (April 1-Dec. 31, 2006)   (Jan. 1-Dec. 31, 2007)
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1. Baton Rouge/New Orleans, LA*.............................                 $195,000                 $260,000
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* Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA). These areas are defined in OMB Bulletin 06-01 at http://www.whitehouse.gov/omb/bulletins/index.html.

    MBOC Operators should have an established presence in either Baton 
Rouge or New Orleans or both. Established presence is defined to mean 
that the applicant has had an office in the location for approximately 
three (3) years preceding the date of this Announcement and has 
established working relationships with buying organizations. In light 
of Hurricanes Katrina and Rita, the definition for established presence 
is amended to include entities in operation since the beginning of 2003 
(minimum) through August 2005. Applicants are encouraged to propose as 
large a service area as possible, which may extend beyond the defined 
areas noted above.
    Applicants will be required to operate one MBOC office (at a 
minimum) in either Baton Rouge or New Orleans, but not necessarily 
both. The service area includes both Baton Rouge and New Orleans.

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

    Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance (CFDA): 11.803 Minority 
Business Opportunity Center Program.
    Eligibility: For-profit entities (including sole-proprietorships, 
partnership, and corporations), and non-profit organizations, State and 
local government entities, American Indian Tribes, and educational 
institutions are eligible to operate MBOCs.
    Program Description: 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 
Minority Business Opportunity Centers (MBOC) (formerly Minority 
Business Opportunity Committees). The Minority Business Opportunity 
Centers through their staff will provide brokering services and 
assistance to MBEs that (a) generate $500,000 or more in annual gross 
revenues or (b) are capable of creating significant employment and 
long-term economic impact (commonly referred to as ``rapid growth-
potential'' MBEs). In addition, MBOCs provide

[[Page 6451]]

access to buyers of goods and services and procurement and financing 
opportunities within the public and private sectors. The MBOC program's 
primary objective is to match pre-qualified MBEs with private and 
public sector contracting and financing entities. MBOC operators and 
executive directors should have experience in and knowledge of the 
local minority business sector and demonstrated ability to gain access 
to key decision-makers. MBOCs are supported by a volunteer advisory 
committee that assists the MBOC in implementing program requirements 
and providing contract and financing opportunities to MBEs. The program 
is primarily evaluated by MBDA based on the number and dollar value of 
contracts and financial transactions awarded to MBEs.
    Match Requirements: Cost sharing of at least 30% is required. Cost 
sharing is the portion of the project cost not borne by the Federal 
Government. Applicants must meet this requirement in (1) Cash 
contributions; (2) non-cash applicant contributions; and/or (3) third 
party in-kind contributions. Bonus points will be awarded for cost 
sharing exceeding 30 percent that is applied to MBOC staff. Applicants 
must provide a detailed explanation of how the cost-sharing requirement 
will be met.
    While not a program requirement, the MBOC may charge client fees 
for brokering services rendered. Client fees may be used towards 
meeting cost share requirements. Client fees applied directly to the 
award's cost sharing requirement must be used in furtherance of the 
program objectives.
    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 (Federal employees) who will review all applications based on 
the below evaluation criteria. Each reviewer will evaluate and provide 
a score for each proposal. The National 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. Size of proposed service area. Applicants are encouraged to 
propose as large a service area as possible, which may extend beyond 
the defined service area of Baton Rouge/New Orleans, Louisiana.
    3. The following funding priorities:
    a. Having an existing or recent client base that can be utilized 
for brokering contract and financial transactions;
    b. Ability to establish an MBOC that has an Industry specific(s) 
focus and that demonstrates the utility of economic clusters including, 
but not limited to, aerospace, manufacturing, construction, financial 
services, IT and/or automotive industries;
    c. The ability to assist in economic recovery following natural 
disasters through available economic opportunities; and,
    4. The availability of funding.
    Evaluation Criteria: Proposals will be evaluated and applicants 
will be selected based on the following criteria. An application must 
receive at least 70% of the total points available for each evaluation 
criterion, in order for the application to be considered for funding.
    The Maximum total points that can be earned is 105 including the 
bonus points for staff related non federal cost sharing as described 
below.

1. Applicant Capability (30 Points)

    The applicant's proposal will be evaluated with respect to the 
applicant's experience and expertise in providing the work requirements 
listed. Specifically, the proposals will be evaluated as follows:
     MBE Community--Experience and knowledge of the local 
minority business sector and established working relationships with 
buying organizations. This factor will be evaluated on whether or not 
the applicant has an established presence in the proposed geographic 
service area. Established presence is defined to mean that the 
applicant has had an office in the geographic service area for a 
minimum of three (3) years preceding this announcement and has 
established relationships with buying organizations. (10 points);
     Business Acumen--experience in and knowledge of coaching 
and mentoring techniques related to serving rapid growth-potential 
minority firms (3 points);
     Financing--experience in and knowledge of brokering 
techniques and facilitating large financial transactions (5 points);
     Procurements and Contracting--experience in and knowledge 
of the public and private sector contracting opportunities and gaining 
access to the buyers to facilitate and broker large deals (5 points);
     Financing Networks--Knowledge of the resources and 
professional relationships within the corporate, banking and investment 
community that can be beneficial to minority-owned firms (2 points);
     Experience and knowledge of particular industries and 
ability to gain access to industry leaders within the geographic 
service area (5 points).

2. Resources (25 Points)

    The applicant's proposal will be evaluated according to the 
following criteria:
     Key Staff--Discuss the experience of the staff that will 
operate the MBOC. In particular, an assessment will be made to 
determine whether key staff has the experience in working with high 
level key decisionmakers as relates to brokering and facilitating large 
dollar contracts and financial transactions, and coaching and 
mentoring. Proposed staff will be assessed to determine if they possess 
the expertise in utilizing information systems (10 points);
     Resources--discuss what resources will be utilized to 
accomplish the work requirements (not included as part of the cost-
sharing arrangement). An assessment will be made to evaluate how well 
the plan establishes and maintains a network of resources. Discuss how 
the Advisory Committee and subcommittees will be recruited and what 
their role will be. Discuss how the committees will contribute to the 
performance measures as outlined in the FFO (10 points);
     Equipment--An assessment will be conducted to evaluate how 
well the plan fulfills the computer hardware and software requirements 
stated in the FFO (5 points).

3. Techniques and Methodologies (25 Points)

    The applicant's proposal will be evaluated as follows:
     Performance Measures--relate each performance measure to 
the financial, information and market resources available in the 
applicant's defined service area and how the goals will be met. 
Specific attention should be placed on the Dollar Value of Contract 
Awards and Financial Transactions (as described under Definitions in 
the FFO). Minimum goals should be based on the availability of Federal 
procurement dollars in the service area. The applicant should also 
consider existing market conditions and its strategy to achieve the 
goal (10 points);
     Plan of Action--provide specific detail on how the 
applicant will start operations, including how the Advisory Committees 
and Subcommittees will be

[[Page 6452]]

formed. The plan should include a detailed discussion of the nature of 
the advisory role and how the committee will work with Center staff to 
accomplish program objectives. Program Operators have thirty (30) days 
to become fully operational after an award is made. Fully operational 
means that all staff is hired, all signs are up, all items of furniture 
and equipment are in place and operational, all stationery forms are 
developed and the Center is ready to open its doors to the public. 
Failure to have all staff on board within 30 days after award will 
result in a deduction of 10 points on the first semi-annual performance 
assessment report and may jeopardize continuation of the award (5 
points);
     Work Requirements Execution Plan--The applicant will be 
evaluated on how it plans to execute the Work Requirements (including 
implementation timelines) and how effectively and efficiently all staff 
will be used. Applicants should include a description for using an 
intra and interstate approach, depending on the geographic service 
area, for accomplishing the work requirements contained in the FFO (5 
points).
     Appropriateness of Applicant Defined Service Area--The 
applicant will be evaluated based on the following: the size of the 
minority population and density of MBEs with revenues of $500,000 or 
rapid-growth potential in the applicant's defined service area. The 
presence of significant Federal and commercial contracting and 
financing opportunities, the size of the market, and the need for MBDA 
resources in the applicant's defined service area should also be 
discussed (5 points).

4. Proposed Budget and Supporting Budget Narrative (20 Points)

    The applicant's proposal will be evaluated on the following sub-
criteria:
     Reasonableness, allowability and allocability of costs (5 
points). MBDA anticipates that 75% of the funding level will be 
allocated to key staff, such as the Executive Director and senior 
business development persons.
     Proposed cost sharing of 30 percent is required and must 
be documented, including whether client fees for brokering will be 
charged and applied to the cost share. Applicants choosing to charge 
fees should set forth a fee schedule in their proposals (5 points).
     Performance-based Budget. Discuss how the budget is 
related to the accomplishment of the work requirements and the 
Performance measures. Provide a budget narrative that clearly shows the 
connections (10 points).
     Non Federal cost sharing exceeding 30 percent that is 
related to additional staff (5) bonus points).

Intergovernmental Review

    Applications under this program are not subject to Executive Order 
12372, ``Intergovernmental Review of Federal Programs.''

Limitation of Liability

    Applicants are hereby given notice that funds have been 
appropriated for this program for Fiscal Year 2006; however, funds have 
not yet been appropriated for FY 2007. 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 cancelled because of other 
agency priorities. Publication of this announcement does not oblige 
MBDA or the Department of Commerce to award any specific project or to 
obligate any available funds.

Universal Identifier

    Applicants should be aware that they will be required to provide a 
Dun and Bradstreet Data Universal Numbering system (DUNS) number during 
the application process. See the June 27, 2003 (68 FR 38402) Federal 
Register notice for additional information. Organizations can receive a 
DUNS number at no cost by calling the dedicated toll-free DUNS Number 
request line at 1-866-705-5711 or on Grants.gov Web site at http://www.Grants.gov.

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 December 30, 2004 (69 FR 78389) are applicable to this 
solicitation.

Paperwork Reduction Act

    This document contains collection-of-information requirements 
subject to the Paperwork Reduction Act (PRA). The use of standard forms 
424, 424A, 424B, SF-LLL, and CD-346 have been approved by OMB under the 
respective control numbers 0348-0043, 0348-0044, 0348-0040, 0348-0046, 
and 0605-0001.
    Notwithstanding any other provisions 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 Paperwork 
Reduction Act unless that collection displays a currently valid OMB 
control Number.

Executive Order 12866

    This notice has been determined to be not significant for purposes 
of E.O. 12866.

Administrative Procedure Act/ Regulatory Flexibility Act

    Prior notice for an opportunity for public comment are not required 
by the Administrative Procedure Act for rules concerning public 
property, loans, grant, benefits and contracts (5 U.S.C. 533(a)(2)). 
Because notice and opportunity for comment are not required pursuant to 
5 U.S.C. 533 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 is not required and has 
not been prepared.

    Dated: February 3, 2006.
Ronald N. Langston,
National Director, Minority Business Development Agency.
[FR Doc. E6-1675 Filed 2-7-06; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-21-P