[Federal Register Volume 72, Number 22 (Friday, February 2, 2007)]
[Notices]
[Pages 5002-5005]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E7-1614]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

Economic Development Administration

[Docket No.: 070125020-7021-01]


Solicitation of Applications for the University Center Economic 
Development Program

AGENCY: Economic Development Administration (EDA), Department of 
Commerce

ACTION: Notice and request for applications.

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SUMMARY: EDA is soliciting competitive applications from accredited 
institutions of higher education and from consortia of accredited 
institutions of higher education for FY 2007 University Center Economic 
Development Program funding in the geographic areas served by its 
Austin and Denver 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 and in partnership with EDA establish and operate University 
Centers. These EDA-sponsored University Centers conduct applied 
research, provide technical assistance to public and private sector 
organizations, and conduct other activities with the goal of enhancing 
regional economic development by promoting a favorable business 
environment to attract private capital investment and higher-skill, 
higher-wage jobs.

DATES: The closing date and time for receipt of applications for 
funding under the FY 2007 University Center Economic Development 
Program competition is May 3, 2007 at 4 p.m. local time. EDA's Austin 
and Denver regional offices will each hold a teleconference to answer 
questions about the FY 2007 University Center Economic Development 
Program competition on March 8, 2007 and February 27, 2007, 
respectively. For further information and instructions regarding these 
teleconferences, please see the information provided below under 
``Teleconferences.''

ADDRESSES: Applications may be submitted in two formats: (i) In paper 
format at the addresses provided below; or (ii) electronically in 
accordance with the procedures provided on www.Grants.gov. The content 
of the application is the same for paper submissions as it is for 
electronic submissions. EDA will not accept facsimile transmissions of 
applications.
    Paper Submissions: Applicants in Arkansas, Louisiana, New Mexico, 
Oklahoma and Texas should submit paper submissions (via postal mail, 
overnight delivery or hand-delivery) to: FY 2007 University Center 
Program Competition, Economic Development Administration, Austin 
Regional Office, 504 Lavaca Street, Suite 1100, Austin, Texas 78701-
4037.
    Applicants in Colorado, Iowa, Kansas, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, 
North Dakota, South Dakota, Utah and Wyoming should submit paper 
submissions (via postal mail, overnight delivery or hand-delivery) to: 
FY 2007 University Center Program Competition, Economic Development 
Administration, Denver Regional Office, 1244 Speer Boulevard, Suite 
670, Denver, Colorado 80204-3591.
    Electronic Submissions: Applicants may submit applications 
electronically in accordance with the instructions provided at http://www.Grants.gov. EDA strongly encourages that applicants not wait until 
the application closing date to begin the application process through 
http://www.Grants.gov. The preferred file format for electronic 
attachments (e.g., the Project Narrative and exhibits to Form ED-900A) 
is portable document format (PDF); however, EDA will accept electronic 
files in Microsoft Word, WordPerfect, Lotus or Excel formats. 
Applicants should access the following link for assistance in 
navigating www.Grants.gov and for a list of useful resources: http://www.grants.gov/applicants/applicant_help.jsp. If you do not find an 
answer to your question under Frequently Asked Questions, try 
consulting the Applicant's User Guide. If you still cannot find an 
answer to your question, contact www.Grants.gov via e-mail at 
[email protected] or telephone at 1.800.518.4726. The hours of 
operation for www.Grants.gov are Monday-Friday, 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. (EST) 
(except for Federal holidays). For a copy of the FFO announcement for 
this request for applications, please see the Web site listed below 
under ``Electronic Access.''

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For additional information or for a 
paper copy of the FFO announcement, the designated contact person in 
the Austin regional office is John Christ. Mr. Christ may be reached at 
[email protected] or at 512.381.8145. The designated contact person 
in the Denver regional office is Forlesia S. Willis. Ms. Willis may be 
reached at [email protected] or at 303.844.5452. EDA's Internet Web 
site at http://www.eda.gov also contains additional information on EDA 
and its programs, including the University Center Economic Development 
Program.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

Program Information

    EDA began administering the University Center Economic Development 
Program as a competitive multi-year program as part of its FY 2004 
Announcement of Federal Funding Opportunity (FFO). Under this multi-
year program designation, EDA held University Center Economic 
Development Program competitions annually in two of its six regional 
offices during FY 2004 through FY 2006. The Austin and Denver regional 
offices solicited applications for the FY 2004 University Center 
competition, the Philadelphia and Chicago regional offices solicited 
applications for the FY 2005 University Center competition, and the 
Atlanta and Seattle regional offices solicited applications for the FY 
2006 University Center competition.
    Electronic Access: The FFO announcement for the FY 2007 University 
Center Economic Development Program competition is available at 
www.Grants.gov. Additional information is available through EDA's 
Internet Web site at http://www.eda.gov.
    Funding Availability: Applicants are hereby given notice that the 
Department of Commerce Appropriation Act for FY 2007 has not been 
enacted as of the date of publication of this request for applications. 
EDA is currently operating with appropriations made available under the 
current continuing resolution for the Department of Commerce, which is 
in effect through February 15, 2007 (unless further amended or 
superseded). See H. J. Res. 102, Pub. L. 109-383, amending Division B--
Continuing Appropriations Resolution, Pub. L. 109-289, 120 Stat. 1257. 
EDA anticipates making awards for the University Center Economic 
Development Program, provided that funding for this program is 
continued beyond February 15, 2007. In all events, the funding periods 
and funding amounts referenced in this notice are subject to the 
availability of FY 2007 funds at the time of award. The Department of 
Commerce and EDA will not be held responsible for application 
preparation costs if the University Center Economic Development Program 
fails to receive funding or is cancelled because of agency priorities. 
Publication of this notice does not obligate the

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Department of Commerce or EDA to award any specific grant or 
cooperative agreement or to obligate all or part of available funds.
    Based on recent appropriation levels, EDA anticipates a total of 
approximately $7,900,000 will be available in FY 2007 for the National, 
University Center Economic Development and Local Technical Assistance 
Programs. Of these anticipated amounts, EDA expects to allocate 
approximately $6,500,000 to the University Center Economic Development 
Program in FY 2007. Subject to the availability of funding at the time 
of award, the funds allocated to the University Center Economic 
Development Program are anticipated to be available until expended. 
Actual amounts appropriated are likely to vary from these estimates and 
could be significantly less. The amount of University Center funding 
available for competition in FY 2007 is expected to be approximately 
$978,000 for the geographic area served by the Austin regional office 
and approximately $795,000 for the geographic area served by the Denver 
regional office. Annual awards for the University Centers selected 
under the FY 2004 competition were in the $90,000 to $100,000 range in 
the Austin regional office and in the $95,000 to $155,000 range in the 
Denver regional office. These regional offices may, however, choose to 
fund awards under this competition outside of these ranges. The 
remaining FY 2007 University Center Economic Development Program funds 
will be used to continue support for current University Centers 
selected during the FY 2005 and FY 2006 competitions in EDA's other 
four regional offices.
    Statutory Authority: The authority for the University Center 
Program is section 207 (42 U.S.C. 3147) of the Public Works and 
Economic Development Act of 1965, as amended (42 U.S.C. 3121 et seq.) 
(PWEDA). EDA published final regulations (codified at 13 CFR Chapter 
III) in the Federal Register on September 27, 2006 (71 FR 56658). The 
final regulations became effective upon publication and reflect changes 
made to PWEDA by the Economic Development Administration 
Reauthorization Act of 2004 (Pub. L. 108-373, 118 Stat. 1756). The 
final regulations and PWEDA are accessible on EDA's Internet Web site 
at http://www.eda.gov/InvestmentsGrants/Lawsreg.xml.
    Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance (CFDA) Number: 11.303, 
Economic Development--Technical Assistance.
    Applicant Eligibility: An accredited institution of higher 
education or a consortium of accredited institutions of higher 
education are eligible to apply for and to receive funding under the 
University Center Economic Development Program. See section 3(12) of 
PWEDA (42 U.S.C. 3122(12)) and 13 CFR 300.3. A University-affiliated 
research foundation also is eligible to apply for and to receive 
funding under the University Center Economic Development Program, 
provided it demonstrates (e.g., a letter or other documentation from a 
University President or Chancellor) that it maintains the full and 
integral support of the University with respect to its economic 
development activities. For applicants applying as a consortium, a lead 
agent should be identified who would have lead responsibility to EDA 
and to the other members of the consortium for implementing a 
University Center Economic Development Program award. For FY 2007, the 
University Center Economic Development Program competition is open to 
eligible applicants in the geographic areas served by EDA's Austin and 
Denver regional offices. The Austin regional office serves Arkansas, 
Louisiana, New Mexico, Oklahoma and Texas. The Denver regional office 
serves Colorado, Iowa, Kansas, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, North 
Dakota, South Dakota, Utah and Wyoming.
    Cost Sharing Requirements: Generally, the amount of the EDA grant 
may not exceed fifty (50) percent of the total cost of the project. 
Projects may receive an additional amount that shall not exceed thirty 
(30) percent, as determined by EDA, based on the relative needs of the 
region in which the project will be located. See section 204(a) of 
PWEDA (42 U.S.C. 3144) and 13 CFR 301.4(b)(1). The Assistant Secretary 
of Commerce for Economic Development has the discretion to establish a 
maximum EDA investment rate of up to one-hundred (100) percent where 
the project (i) merits and is not otherwise feasible without an 
increase to the EDA investment rate; or (ii) will be of no or only 
incidental benefit to the recipient. See section 204(c)(3) of PWEDA (42 
U.S.C. 3144) and 13 CFR 301.4(b)(4).
    In the application review process, EDA will consider the nature of 
the contribution (cash or in-kind) and the amount of the matching share 
funds. While cash contributions are preferred, in-kind contributions, 
fairly evaluated by EDA, may provide the non-federal share of the total 
project cost. See section 204(b) of PWEDA (42 U.S.C. 3144) and section 
I.B. of the FFO announcement for this request for applications. In-kind 
contributions, which may include assumptions of debt and contributions 
of space, equipment, and services, are eligible to be included as part 
of the non-federal share of eligible project costs if they meet 
applicable federal cost principles and uniform administrative 
requirements. Funds from other federal financial assistance awards are 
considered matching share funds only if authorized by statute, which 
may be determined by EDA's reasonable interpretation of the statute. 
See 13 CFR 300.3. The applicant must show that the matching share is 
committed to the project, available as needed and not conditioned or 
encumbered in any way that precludes its use consistent with the 
requirements of EDA investment assistance. See 13 CFR 301.5.
    Intergovernmental Review: Applications for funding under the 
University Center Economic Development Program are subject to the State 
review requirements imposed by Executive Order 12372, 
``Intergovernmental Review of Federal Programs.''
    Evaluation and Selection Procedures: Prior to the review paneling 
process, EDA's Austin and Denver regional offices will undertake a 
technical review of each application to ensure that all required forms, 
signatures and documentation are present and that the application is in 
compliance with the requirements of this competitive solicitation. 
Applications materially failing to meet the technical requirements of 
this competitive solicitation will not be referred to the review panel.
    Applications meeting all technical requirements will undergo a 
merit review by EDA's Austin and Denver regional offices. The review 
panel will consist of federal employees, at least three (3) of which 
will be members of EDA staff from the Austin and Denver regional 
offices, who will evaluate and competitively rate and rank all 
technically-sufficient applications using the criteria provided under 
``Evaluation Criteria'' below. The Regional Director of each regional 
office is the Selecting Official for the applications received from 
applicants located within that regional office's geographic service 
area. The review panel will submit to the Selecting Official a list of 
applicants recommended for funding.
    Evaluation Criteria: The evaluation of applications will be 
accomplished through a review using the following criteria, listed in 
descending order of importance: (i) Ability to satisfy one or more of 
the University Center-specific investment policy guidelines; (ii) 
applicant's ability to successfully implement the project; (iii) 
feasibility of

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the project budget; and (iv) cost of the project to the Federal 
government. Each criterion is described below.
    Investment Policy Guidelines. The following University Center-
specific investment policy guidelines have been adapted from (i) EDA's 
general investment policy guidelines set forth in 13 CFR 301.8 and (ii) 
the specific award requirements for University Center projects listed 
in 13 CFR 306.5. Applications received in response to this competitive 
solicitation will be competitively rated and ranked based on the 
project's ability to satisfy one or more of these University Center-
specific 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; and (c) the degree of evidence 
demonstrating the support and commitment (both financial and non-
financial) of the highest management levels of the proposed University 
Center's 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 local 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; and
     Strong cooperation between the business sector, relevant 
regional partners and local, State and Federal governments.
    Ability to Successfully Implement the Project: The review panel 
will evaluate the applicant's ability to successfully implement the 
project. This evaluation will include the extent to which the applicant 
(including its sponsoring institution) has successfully implemented 
past technical assistance projects, especially those involving economic 
development. The review panel also will evaluate the expertise of 
project staff, as well as the academic programs and other resources 
available within the sponsoring institution. See 13 CFR 306.5.
    Feasibility of Project Budget: The review panel will evaluate the 
feasibility of the project budget, including but not limited to the 
reasonableness and the allowability of project costs.
    Cost of the Project to the Federal Government: The review panel 
will evaluate the cost of the project to the Federal government, taking 
into account the technical assistance services to be performed by the 
University Center and how those services are anticipated to spur 
regional economic development. As provided under ``Cost Sharing 
Requirements'' in this request for applications and in section I.B. of 
the FFO announcement, EDA may give a preference to those applications 
that include a cash contribution for the matching share requirement.

Selection Factors

    EDA expects to fund the highest ranking applications submitted 
under this competition solicitation. The Selecting Official will 
normally follow the recommendations of the review panel; however, the 
Selecting Official may decide not to make a selection, or he may select 
an application out of rank order for several reasons, including: (1) A 
determination that the application better meets the overall objectives 
of sections 2 and 207 of PWEDA (42 U.S.C. 3121 and 3147); (2) the 
availability of program funding; (3) the geographic balance in 
distribution of program funds; (4) program priorities as set forth in 
the FFO announcement; or (5) the applicant's performance under previous 
federal financial assistance awards.
    The Department of Commerce Pre-Award Notification Requirements for 
Grants and Cooperative Agreements: The administrative and national 
policy requirements for all Department of Commerce awards, contained in 
the Department of Commerce Pre-Award Notification Requirements for 
Grants and Cooperative Agreements, published in the Federal Register on 
December 30, 2004 (69 FR 78389), are applicable to this competitive 
solicitation.
    Teleconferences: The Austin regional office will hold a pre-
application teleconference on March 8, 2007 at 11 a.m. (CST). The 
Denver regional office will hold its pre-application teleconference 
call on February 27, 2007 at 12 p.m. (MST). These teleconferences will 
provide general program information and information regarding the 
preparation of applications for funding under this competitive 
solicitation. To ensure the integrity of this competition, EDA will not 
provide substantive information regarding the competition to 
prospective applicants outside of these scheduled teleconferences.
    To ensure that enough incoming lines are available for each caller, 
the Austin regional office requires interested parties planning to 
participate on the teleconference to register no later than 6 p.m. 
(CST) on March 6, 2007; the Denver regional office requires interested 
parties planning to participate on the teleconference to register no 
later than 12 p.m. (MST) on February 23, 2007. To register, please send 
an e-mail with ``Teleconference Registration'' in the subject line to 
the designated contact person in the Austin or Denver regional office, 
as provided under ``For Further Information'' in this request for 
applications. The telephone number and pass code for each 
teleconference will be provided upon registration.
    Please be advised that the pre-application teleconferences may be 
audio-taped and the actual recordings or a transcript of the actual 
recording may be made available online for the benefit of prospective 
applicants unable to participate. Prospective applicants who choose to 
participate on the teleconferences are deemed to consent to the taping.

Paperwork Reduction Act

    This document contains collection-of-information requirements 
subject to the Paperwork Reduction Act (PRA). The

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use of Form ED-900A (Application for Investment Assistance) has been 
approved by the Office of Management and Budget (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.

Sandy K. Baruah,
Assistant Secretary of Commerce, for Economic Development.
[FR Doc. E7-1614 Filed 2-1-07; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-24-P