[Federal Register Volume 71, Number 143 (Wednesday, July 26, 2006)]
[Notices]
[Pages 42351-42356]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E6-11947]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

Minority Business Development Agency

[Docket No: 00724217-6195-12]


Solicitation of Applications for the Minority Business Enterprise 
Center (MBEC) (Formerly Minority Business Development Center (MBDC))

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 Enterprise Center (MBEC) (formerly Minority Business 
Development Center). This is not a grant program to help start a 
business. Applications submitted must be to operate a Minority Business 
Enterprise Center and to provide business consultation to eligible 
minority clients. Applications that do not meet these requirements will 
be rejected. The MBEC will provide services in the outlined geographic 
areas (refer to SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION section of this Notice).
    The MBEC Program requires MBEC staff to provide standardized 
business assistance services (as outlined in the Federal Funding 
Opportunity Announcement) to minority firms with $500,000 or more in 
annual revenues and/or ``rapid growth-potential'' minority businesses 
(``Strategic Growth Initiative'' or ``SGI'' firms) directly; to develop 
a network of strategic partnerships; and to provide strategic business 
consulting. This is a fee for service program, therefore, the MBEC is 
required to charge client fees.
    These requirements will be used to generate increased results with 
respect to financing and contracts awarded to minority-owned firms and 
thus, are a key component of this program.
    The MBEC Program will concentrate on serving SGI firms capable of 
generating significant employment and long-term economic growth. The 
MBEC Program shall leverage telecommunications technology, including 
the Internet, and a variety of online computer-based resources to 
dramatically increase the level of service that the MBEC can provide to 
minority-owned firms.

DATES: The closing date for receipt of applications is September 20, 
2006. Completed applications must be received by MBDA no later than 5 
p.m. Eastern Daylight Savings 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 that 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 one hundred fifty (150) days from the date of publication of this 
Announcement. MBDA anticipates that awards for the MBEC program will be 
made with a start date of January 1, 2007.
    Pre-Application Conference: A pre-application teleconference will 
be held on August 17, 2006, in connection with this solicitation 
Announcement. The pre-application conference will be available on 
MBDA's Portal (MBDA Portal) at http://www.mbda.gov. Interested parties 
to the pre-application conference must register at MBDA's Portal at 
least 24 hours in advance of the event.

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--MBEC 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--MBEC Program 
(extension 1940), HCHB, Room 1874, 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 in order for his/her 
application to receive consideration 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 where 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 Avenue, 
NW., Room 5073, Washington, DC 20230. Contact: Efrain Gonzalez, Program 
Manager at 202-482-1940.

[[Page 42352]]

    2. San Francisco National Enterprise Center (SFNEC) is located at 
221 Main Street, Suite 1280, San Francisco, CA 94105. This region 
covers the states of Arizona, Nevada, Idaho, Oregon, California, 
Washington, Alaska and Hawaii. Contact: Linda Marmolejo, Regional 
Director, SFNEC at 415-744-3001.
    3. Dallas National Enterprise Center (DNEC) 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.
    4. Atlanta National Enterprise Center (ANEC) is located at 401 W. 
Peachtree Street, NW., Suite 1715, Atlanta, GA 30308-3516. This region 
covers the states of North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, Florida, 
Alabama, Mississippi, and Tennessee. Contact John Iglehart Acting 
Regional Director, ANEC at 404-730-3300.
    5. Chicago National Enterprise Center (CNEC) is located at 55 E. 
Monroe Street Suite 1406, Chicago, IL 60603. This region covers the 
states of Ohio, Illinois, Minnesota, Iowa, Michigan, Indiana, and 
Missouri. Contact Eric Dobyne, Regional Director, CNEC at 312-353-0182.
    6. New York National Enterprise Center (NYNEC) is located at 26 
Federal Plaza Room 3720, New York, NY 10278. This region covers the 
states of Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, Rhode Island, Massachusetts, 
New York, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Connecticut, Delaware, Maryland, 
Virginia, West Virginia and District of Columbia. Contact Heyward 
Davenport, Regional Director, NYNEC at 212-264-3262.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Geographic Service Areas

    The MBEC will provide services in the following geographic areas:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                     Geographic service
           MBEC name             Location of MBEC           area
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Arizona MBEC..................  Phoenix, AZ......  State of Arizona.
Inland Empire MBEC............  Riverside, CA....  California Counties
                                                    of: Orange,
                                                    Riverside, Inland
                                                    Empire, San Diego
                                                    and San Bernardino.
Nevada MBEC...................  Las Vegas, NV....  State of Nevada.
Los Angeles MBEC..............  Los Angeles Metro  California Counties
                                                    of: Los Angeles and
                                                    Ventura.
Northern California MBEC......  San Jose, CA.....  California Counties
                                                    of: Santa Clara,
                                                    Alameda, San
                                                    Francisco, San
                                                    Mateo, San Benito,
                                                    Monterey, Santa
                                                    Cruz, Sonoma, Napa,
                                                    Solano, Contra
                                                    Costa, Mendocino,
                                                    San Joaquin,
                                                    Sacramento, and
                                                    Marin.
Washington MBEC...............  Seattle, WA......  State of Washington.
Dallas MBEC...................  Dallas, TX.......  Dallas/Fort Worth/
                                                    Arlington MSA.*
El Paso MBEC..................  El Paso, TX......  El Paso MSA.*
Houston MBEC..................  Houston, TX......  Houston/Sugar Land/
                                                    Baytown MSA.*
New Mexico MBEC...............  Albuquerque, NM..  State of New Mexico.
Louisiana MBEC................  New Orleans, LA..  State of Louisiana.
San Antonio MBEC..............  San Antonio, TX..  San Antonio MSA.*
Georgia MBEC..................  Atlanta, GA......  State of Georgia.
North Carolina MBEC...........  Durham, NC.......  State of North
                                                    Carolina.
South Carolina MBEC...........  Columbia, SC.....  State of South
                                                    Carolina.
Alabama/Mississippi MBEC......  Biloxi, MS.......  States of Alabama &
                                                    Mississippi.
Chicago MBEC..................  Chicago, IL......  State of Illinois.
Detroit MBEC..................  Detroit, MI......  State of Michigan.
Cleveland MBEC................  Cleveland, OH....  State of Ohio.
Indianapolis MBEC.............  Indianapolis, IN.  State of Indiana.
St. Louis MBEC................  St. Louis, MO....  State of Missouri.
Manhattan MBEC................  New York, NY.....  New York Counties of:
                                                    New York, Bronx and
                                                    Westchester.
Williamsburg MBEC.............  Brooklyn, NY.....  New York Counties of:
                                                    Kings and Richmond.
Queens MBEC...................  Jamaica, NY......  New York Counties of:
                                                    Queens, Nassau and
                                                    Suffolk.
Pennsylvania MBEC.............  Philadelphia, PA.  State of
                                                    Pennsylvania.
New Jersey MBEC...............  Newark, NJ.......  State of New Jersey.
DC Metro MBEC.................  Washington, DC...  Washington, DC/
                                                    Arlington/Alexandria
                                                    MSA.*
Puerto Rico MBEC..............  San Juan, PR.....  Puerto Rico
                                                    Islandwide.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
* Metropolitan Statistical Area, please see OMB Bulletin No. 06-01,
  Update of Statistical Area Definitions and Guidance on their Uses
  (December 5, 2005) (as corrected May 26, 2006) at http://www.whitehouse.gov/omb/bulletins.

    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 downloading at http://www.mbda.gov or by 
contacting the appropriate MBDA representative identified above. The 
FFO contains a full and complete description of the MBEC 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 MBEC 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. The 
date that 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.
    Funding Priorities: Preference may be given to applications during 
the selection process which address the following MBDA funding 
priorities:
    (a) Applicants who submit proposals that include work activities 
that exceed the minimum work requirements in this Announcement.
    (b) Applicants who submit proposals that include performance goals 
that

[[Page 42353]]

exceed the minimum performance goal requirements in this Announcement.
    (c) Applicants who demonstrate an exceptional ability to identify 
and work towards the elimination of barriers, which limit the access of 
minority businesses to markets and capital.
    (d) Applicants who demonstrate an exceptional ability to identify 
and work with minority businesses seeking to obtain large-scale 
contracts and/or insertion into supply chains with institutional 
customers.
    (e) Applicants that utilize fee for service models and those that 
demonstrate an exceptional ability to charge and collect fees from 
clients.
    Funding Availability: The total award period is three years. The 
Federal funding share in each program year (2007-2009) (January 1-
December 31 respectively) is $7.49M. MBDA funding availability is 
subject to Fiscal Year appropriations. MBDA anticipates funding twenty-
eight (28) MBECs from this competitive Announcement.
    MBDA requires each award recipient to provide a minimum of twenty 
percent (20%) non-federal cost share. Applicants must submit project 
plans and budgets for each of the three funding periods. Projects will 
be funded for no more than one year at a time. Project proposals 
accepted for funding will not compete for funding in the subsequent 
second and third budget periods. Second and third year funding will 
depend upon satisfactory performance, availability of funds to support 
continuation of the project, and consistency with Department of 
Commerce and MBDA priorities. Second and third year funding will be 
granted at the sole discretion of MBDA and the Department of Commerce.
    MBDA is soliciting competitive applications from organizations to 
operate a MBEC in the designated geographic areas. The maximum Federal 
Funding Amounts for each year are shown below.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                           January 1, 2007 through          January 1, 2008 through          January 1, 2009 through
                                                              December 31, 2007                December 31, 2008                December 31, 2009
                                                      --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                Non-                             Non-                             Non-
                     Project name                                  Federal    federal               Federal    federal               Federal    federal
                                                         Total      share    share ($)    Total      share    share ($)    Total      share    share ($)
                                                        cost ($)     ($)        (20%    cost  ($)     ($)        (20%    cost  ($)     ($)        (20%
                                                                               min.)                            min.)                            min.)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Arizona MBEC.........................................    343,900    275,000     68,900    343,900    275,000     68,900    343,900    275,000     68,900
Inland Empire MBEC...................................    406,500    325,000     81,500    406,500    325,000     81,500    406,500    325,000     81,500
Los Angeles MBEC.....................................    437,500    350,000     87,500    437,500    350,000     87,500    437,500    350,000     87,500
Nevada MBEC..........................................    281,300    225,000     56,300    281,300    225,000     56,300    281,300    225,000     56,300
Northern California MBEC.............................    375,000    300,000     75,000    375,000    300,000     75,000    375,000    300,000     75,000
Washington MBEC......................................    312,500    250,000     62,500    312,500    250,000     62,500    312,500    250,000     62,500
Dallas MBEC..........................................    390,839    312,639     78,200    390,839    312,639     78,200    390,839    312,639     78,200
El Paso MBEC.........................................    262,500    210,000     52,500    262,500    210,000     52,500    262,500    210,000     52,500
Houston MBEC.........................................    375,000    300,000     75,000    375,000    300,000     75,000    375,000    300,000     75,000
New Mexico MBEC......................................    312,500    250,000     62,500    312,500    250,000     62,500    312,500    250,000     62,500
Louisiana MBEC.......................................    375,000    300,000     75,000    375,000    300,000     75,000    375,000    300,000     75,000
San Antonio MBEC.....................................    320,639    256,639     64,000    320,639    256,639     64,000    320,639    256,639     64,000
Georgia MBEC.........................................    300,799    240,599     60,200    300,799    240,599     60,200    300,799    240,599     60,200
North Carolina MBEC..................................    300,799    240,599     60,200    300,799    240,599     60,200    300,799    240,599     60,200
Alabama/Mississippi MBEC.............................    300,799    240,599     60,200    300,799    240,599     60,200    300,799    240,599     60,200
South Carolina MBEC..................................    300,799    240,599     60,200    300,799    240,599     60,200    300,799    240,599     60,200
Chicago MBEC.........................................    375,000    300,000     75,000    375,000    300,000     75,000    375,000    300,000     75,000
Detroit MBEC.........................................    349,800    280,000     69,800    349,800    280,000     69,800    349,800    280,000     69,800
Indianapolis MBEC....................................    250,000    200,000     50,000    250,000    200,000     50,000    250,000    200,000     50,000
St. Louis MBEC.......................................    300,000    240,000     60,000    300,000    240,000     60,000    300,000    240,000     60,000
Cleveland MBEC.......................................    300,000    240,000     60,000    300,000    240,000     60,000    300,000    240,000     60,000
Manhattan MBEC.......................................    343,900    275,000     68,900    343,900    275,000     68,900    343,900    275,000     68,900
New Jersey MBEC......................................    343,900    275,000     68,900    343,900    275,000     68,900    343,900    275,000     68,900
Pennsylvania MBEC....................................    343,900    275,000     68,900    343,900    275,000     68,900    343,900    275,000     68,900
Queens MBEC..........................................    343,900    275,000     68,900    343,900    275,000     68,900    343,900    275,000     68,900
Puerto Rico MBEC.....................................    300,799    240,599     60,200    300,799    240,599     60,200    300,799    240,599     60,200
Washington Metro MBEC................................    343,900    275,000     68,900    343,900    275,000     68,900    343,900    275,000     68,900
Williamsburg MBEC....................................    375,000    300,000     75,000    375,000    300,000     75,000    375,000    300,000     75,000
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------



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

    Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance (CFDA): 11.800 Minority 
Business Enterprise Center Program (formerly Minority Business 
Development Center (MBDC) Program).
    Eligibility: For-profit entities (including sole-proprietorships, 
partnerships, and corporations), and non-profit organizations, state 
and local government entities, American Indian tribes, and educational 
institutions are eligible to operate MBECs. Applicants receiving three 
(3) consecutive funding award cycles (beginning 2007 through 2015) will 
not be eligible to receive an award in 2016 (and thereafter).
    Program Description: In accordance with Executive Order 11625 and 
15 U.S.C. Section 1512, the Minority Business Development Agency (MBDA) 
is soliciting applications from organizations to operate a Minority 
Business Enterprise Center (MBEC) (formerly Minority Business 
Development Center). The MBEC Program requires MBEC staff to provide 
standardized business assistance services to minority firms with 
$500,000 or more in annual revenues and/or ``rapid-growth potential'' 
minority businesses (``Strategic Growth Initiative or ``SGI'' firms) 
directly; to develop a network of strategic partnerships; and to 
provide strategic business consulting. This is a fee for service 
program, therefore, the MBEC is required to charge client fees.
    These requirements will be used to generate increased results with 
respect to financing and contracts awarded to minority-owned firms and 
thus, are a key component of this program.

[[Page 42354]]

    The MBEC Program will concentrate on serving SGI firms capable of 
generating significant employment and long-term economic growth. The 
MBEC program shall continue to leverage telecommunications technology, 
including the Internet, and a variety of online/computer-based 
resources to dramatically increase the level of service that the MBEC 
can provide to minority-owned firms.
    The MBEC program incorporates an entrepreneurial approach to 
building market stability and improving the quality of services 
delivered. This strategy expands the reach of the MBEC by requiring 
project operators to develop and build upon strategic alliances with 
public and private sector partners, as a means of serving SGI firms 
within the project's geographic service area. In addition, MBDA will 
establish specialized business consulting training programs to support 
the MBEC client assistance services. These MBEC training programs are 
designed specifically to foster growth assistance to its clients. The 
MBEC will also encourage increased collaboration and client/non-client 
referrals among the MBDA-sponsored networks. This will provide a 
comprehensive approach to serving the emerging sector of the minority 
business community. The MBEC will operate through the use of trained 
professional business consultants who will assist minority 
entrepreneurs through direct client engagements. Entrepreneurs eligible 
for assistance under the MBEC Program are African Americans, Puerto 
Ricans, Spanish-speaking Americans, Aleuts, Asian and Pacific Islander 
Americans, Asian Indians, Native Americans, Eskimos and Hasidic Jews.
    As part of its strategy for continuous improvement, the MBEC shall 
expand its delivery capacity to all minority firms (as defined in the 
FFO), with greater emphasis on SGI firms capable of impacting economic 
growth and employment. MBDA wants to ensure that MBEC clients are 
receiving a consistent level of service throughout its funded network. 
To that end, MBDA will require MBEC consultants to attend training 
course(s) designed to achieve standardized services and quality 
expectations.
    Further programmatic information can be found in the FFO.
    Match Requirements: Cost sharing of at least 20% for year 1, 2 and 
3 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 20 percent that is applied on the following 
scale: More than 20%--less than 25%--1 point; 25% or more-less than 
30%--2 points; 30% or more-less than 35%--3 points; 35% or more-less 
than 40%--4 points; and, 40% or more--5 points. Applicants must provide 
a detailed explanation of how the cost-sharing requirement will be met. 
The MBEC must charge client fees for services rendered. Client fees 
shall 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.
    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 of points that can be earned is 105 including bonus 
points for related non-federal cost sharing, except when oral 
presentations are made by applicants. If oral presentations are made 
(see paragraph 5 below), the maximum total of points that can be earned 
is 115.
    1. Applicant Capability (40 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:
     MBE Community--experience in and knowledge of the minority 
business sector and strategies for enhancing its growth and expansion; 
particular emphasis shall be on expanding SGI firms (4 points);
     Business Consulting--experience in and knowledge of 
business consulting of SGI firms (5 points);
     Financing--experience in and knowledge of the preparation 
and formulation of successful financial transactions (5 points);
     Procurements and Contracting--experience in and knowledge 
of the public and private sector contracting opportunities for minority 
businesses, as well as demonstrated expertise in assisting MBEs into 
supply chains (5 points);
     Financing Networks--resources and professional 
relationships within the corporate, banking and investment community 
that may be beneficial to minority-owned firms (5 points);
     Establishment of a Self-Sustainable Service Model--summary 
plan to establish a self-sustainable model for continued services to 
the MBE community beyond the MBDA funding cycle (3 points);
     MBE Advocacy--experience and expertise in advocating on 
behalf of minority businesses, both as to specific transactions in 
which a minority business seeks to engage, and as to broad market 
advocacy for the benefit of the minority community at large (3 points); 
and
     Key Staff--assessment of the qualifications, experience 
and proposed role of staff who will operate the MBEC. In particular, an 
assessment will be made to determine whether proposed key staff 
possesses the expertise in utilizing information systems and the 
ability to successfully deliver services (10 points).
    2. Resources (20 points). The applicant's proposal will be 
evaluated according to the following criteria:
     Resources--discuss those resources (not included as part 
of the cost-sharing arrangement) that will be used, including (but not 
limited to) existing prior and/or current data lists that will serve in 
fostering immediate success for the MBEC (8 points);
     Location--Applicant must indicate if it shall establish a 
location for the Center that is separate and apart from any existing 
offices in the geographic service area (2 points);
     Partners--discuss how you plan to establish and maintain 
the network of five (5) Strategic Partners and how these partners will 
support the MBEC to meet its performance objectives (5 points); and
     Equipment--discuss how you plan to accomplish the computer 
hardware and software requirements (5 points).
    3. Techniques and Methodologies (20 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 
geographic service area to the applicant (including existing client 
list) and how the goals will be met (marketing plan). Specific 
attention should be placed on matching performance outcomes (as 
described under ``Geographic Service Areas and Performance Goals'' of 
the FFO) with client service (billable) hours. The applicant should 
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. The MBEC shall have thirty (30) days 
to become fully operational after an award is made. Fully operational 
means that all staff are hired, all signs are up, all items of 
furniture and equipment are in place

[[Page 42355]]

and operational, all necessary forms are developed (e.g., client 
engagement letters, other standard correspondence, etc.), and the 
center is ready to open its doors to the public (5 points); and,
     Work Requirement Execution Plan--The applicant will be 
evaluated on how effectively and efficiently all staff time will be 
used to achieve the work requirements (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. 
All of the proposed expenditures must be discussed and the budget line 
item narrative must match the proposed budget. Fringe benefits and 
other percentage item calculations must match the proposed line item on 
the budget. (5 points);
     Proposed cost sharing of 20% is required. The non-Federal 
share must be adequately documented, including how client fees will be 
used to meet the cost-share (5 points); and,
     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).
    Proposals with cost sharing which exceeds 20% will be awarded bonus 
points on the following scale: more than 20%--less than 25%--1 point; 
25% or more-less than 30%--2 points; 30% or more-less than 35%--3 
points; 35% or more-less than 40%--4 points; and 40% or more--5 points.
    5. Oral Presentation--Optional (10 points). Oral presentations are 
held only when determined by MBDA. When the merit review by the panel 
results in applications scoring 70% or more of the available points for 
each criterion, MBDA may request all those applicants to develop and 
provide an oral presentation. This presentation will be used to 
establish a final evaluation and rating.
    The applicant's presentation will be evaluated on the following 
sub-criteria:
    (a) The extent to which the presentation demonstrates how the 
applicant will effectively and efficiently assist MBDA in the 
accomplishment of its mission (2 points);
    (b) The extent to which the presentation demonstrates business 
operating priorities designed to manage a successful MBEC (2 points);
    (c) The extent to which the presentation demonstrates a management 
philosophy that achieves an effective balance between micromanagement 
and complete autonomy for its Project Director (2 points);
    (d) The extent to which the presentation demonstrates robust search 
criteria for the identification of a Project Director (1 point);
    (e) The extent to which the presentation demonstrates effective 
employee recruitment and retention policies and procedures (1 point); 
and,
    (f) The extent to which the presentation demonstrates a competitive 
and innovative approach to exceeding performance requirements (2 
points).

Review and Selection Process

    1. Initial Screening. Prior to the formal paneling process, each 
application will receive an initial screening to ensure that all 
required forms, signatures and documentation are present.
    2. Panel Review. 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 (all Federal employees) who will 
review all applications based on the above evaluation criteria. Each 
reviewer will evaluate and provide a score for each proposal. In order 
for an application to be considered for funding, it shall need to 
achieve 70% of the available points for each criterion. Failure to 
achieve these results will automatically deem the application as 
unsuccessful.
    3. Oral Presentation--Optional. When the merit review by the panel 
results in applications scoring 70% or more of the available points for 
each criterion, MBDA may request all those applicants to develop and 
provide an oral presentation. The applicants may receive up to 10 
additional points based on the presentation and content presented. If a 
formal presentation is requested, the applicants will receive a formal 
communication (via standard mail, e-mail or fax) from MBDA indicating 
the time and date for the presentation. In person presentations are not 
mandatory but are encouraged; telephonic presentations are acceptable. 
Applicants will be asked to submit a power point presentation (or 
equivalent) to MBDA that addresses the oral presentation criteria (see 
above, Evaluation Criteria, item 5. Oral Presentation--Optional). This 
presentation must be submitted at least 24 hours before the scheduled 
date and time of the presentation. The presentation will be made to the 
National Director (or his/her designee) and/or up to three senior MBDA 
staff who did not serve on the merit evaluation panel. The oral panel 
members may ask follow-up questions after the presentation. MBDA will 
provide the teleconference dial-in number and pass code. Each finalist 
will present to MBDA staff only; other applicants are not permitted to 
listen (and/or watch).
    All costs pertaining to this presentation shall be borne by the 
applicant. MBEC award funds may not be used as a reimbursement for this 
presentation. MBDA will not accept any requests or petitions for 
reimbursement.
    The oral panel members shall score each presentation in accordance 
with the oral presentation criteria. An average score shall be compiled 
and added to the original score of the panel review.
    4. Final Recommendation. 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 
selection criteria as outlined in this Announcement and the following:
    (a) The evaluations and rankings of the independent review panel 
and the evaluation(s) of the oral presentations, if applicable;
    (b) Funding priorities. The National Director (or his/her designee) 
reserves the right to conduct a site visit (subject to the availability 
of funding) to applicant organizations receiving at least 70% of the 
total points available for each evaluation criterion, in order to make 
a better assessment of the organization's capability to achieve the 
funding priorities; and,
    (c) The availability of funding.
    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 not yet been appropriated for this program for Fiscal Year 
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.

[[Page 42356]]

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 by 
accessing the 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: July 21, 2006.
Ronald N. Langston,
National Director, Minority Business Development Agency.
 [FR Doc. E6-11947 Filed 7-25-06; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-21-P