[Federal Register Volume 72, Number 119 (Thursday, June 21, 2007)]
[Notices]
[Pages 34225-34228]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E7-12003]


=======================================================================
-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

Economic Development Administration

[Docket No.: 070607177-7178-01]


Solicitation of Applications for the National Technical 
Assistance, Training, Research and Evaluation Program: Information 
Dissemination and National Symposium

AGENCY: Economic Development Administration, Department of Commerce.

ACTION: Notice and request for applications.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: The Economic Development Administration (EDA) is soliciting 
applications for FY 2007 National Technical Assistance, Training, 
Research and Evaluation program (NTA Program) funding. Through this 
notice, EDA solicits applications for funding that address one or both 
of the following two projects: (1) Information dissemination to 
practitioners serving economically distressed areas; and (2) a national 
symposium to bring together leaders to discuss current and future 
trends in economic development and how to improve and implement 
economic development best practices. 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. Through its NTA Program, EDA works towards 
fulfilling its mission by funding research and technical assistance 
projects to promote competitiveness and innovation in rural and urban 
regions throughout the United States and its territories. By working in 
conjunction with its research partners, EDA will help States, local 
governments, and community-based organizations to achieve their highest 
economic potential.

DATES: To be considered timely, a completed application, regardless of 
the format in which it is submitted, must be either: (1) Received by 
the EDA representative listed below under ``Paper Submissions'' no 
later than July 23, 2007 at 5 p.m. EST; or (2) transmitted and time-
stamped at www.grants.gov no later than July 23, 2007 at 5 p.m. EST. 
Any application received or transmitted, as the case may be, after 5 
p.m. EST on July 23, 2007 will be considered non-responsive and will 
not be considered for funding. Please see the instructions below under 
``Submitting Application Packages'' for information regarding format 
options for submitting completed applications. The closing date and 
time are the same for paper submissions as for electronic submissions. 
By August 20, 2007, EDA expects to notify the applicants selected for 
investment assistance under this notice. The selected applicants should 
expect to receive funding for their projects within thirty days of 
EDA's notification of selection. Applicants choosing to submit 
completed applications electronically in whole or in part through 
www.grants.gov should follow the instructions set out below under 
``Electronic Access'' and in section IV. of the complete Federal 
Funding Opportunity (FFO) announcement for this request for 
applications.

ADDRESSES: Paper Submissions: Full or partial paper (hardcopy) 
applications submitted pursuant to this notice and request for 
applications may be:
    1. E-mailed to William P. Kittredge, Senior Program Analyst, at 
[email protected]; or
    2. Hand-delivered or mailed to William P. Kittredge, Senior Program 
Analyst, Economic Development Administration, Room 7009, U.S. 
Department of Commerce, 1401 Constitution Avenue, NW., Washington, DC 
20230.
    Applicants submitting full or partial paper submissions are 
encouraged to do so by e-mail. Applicants are advised that, due to mail 
security measures, EDA's receipt of mail sent via the United States 
Postal Service may be substantially delayed or suspended in delivery.
    Electronic Submissions: Applicants may submit applications 
electronically in whole or in part in accordance with the instructions 
provided at www.grants.gov and in section IV.B. of the FFO 
announcement. EDA strongly encourages that applicants not wait until 
the application closing date to begin the application process through 
www.grants.gov. The preferred file format for electronic attachments 
(e.g., the project narrative and additional exhibits to Form ED-900A 
and Form ED-900A's program-specific component) is portable document 
format (PDF); however, EDA will accept

[[Page 34226]]

electronic files in Microsoft Word, WordPerfect, Lotus or Excel 
formats.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For additional information regarding 
paper submissions, please contact William P. Kittredge, Senior Program 
Analyst, via e-mail at [email protected] (preferred) or by 
telephone at (202) 482-5442. For additional information regarding 
electronic submissions, please 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 email 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).
    Additional information about EDA and its NTA Program may be 
obtained from EDA's Internet Web site at http://www.eda.gov. The 
complete FFO announcement for this request for applications is 
available at http://www.grants.gov and at http://www.eda.gov.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
    Background Information: EDA is soliciting applications for FY 2007 
NTA Program funding. Through this notice, EDA solicits applications for 
funding that address one or both of the following two projects: (1) 
Information dissemination to practitioners serving economically 
distressed areas; and (2) a national symposium to bring together 
leaders to discuss current and future trends in economic development 
and how to improve and implement economic development best practices.
    EDA's intent is to implement a coordinated and complementary 
information dissemination program that, through strategic linkages, 
reaches the maximum number of economic development practitioners. As 
described in the FFO announcement, the information dissemination 
project has three component tasks: (1) Broadcasting of strategy 
telecasts; (2) preparation and dissemination of monthly electronic 
newsletters; and (3) preparation and dissemination of a quarterly 
magazine. Applicants must address each of these three components of the 
information dissemination project.
    The 2008 EDA National Symposium will bring together nationally-
recognized leaders to discuss ``what's next'' in economic development 
and how to implement economic development best practices. Qualified 
applicants must submit applications for organizing, supporting, 
promoting, holding and reporting on the symposium. The focus of the 
symposium is to disseminate and share the strategies, policies and best 
practices of 21st century economic development.
    Application Package: An application package consists of the 
following three forms:
    1. Form ED-900A, Application for Investment Assistance (OMB Control 
No. 0610-0094);
    2. Form ED-900A's program-specific component, National Technical 
Assistance, Training, and Research and Evaluation Program Requirements 
(OMB Control No. 0610-0094); and
    3. Form SF-424, Application for Federal Assistance (OMB Control No. 
4040-0004).
    Please note that applicants must submit all three forms in 
accordance with the instructions provided in sections IV. and VII.B. of 
the FFO announcement.
    Submitting Application Packages: Applications may be submitted in 
three formats: (1) Full paper (hardcopy) submission; (2) partial paper 
(hardcopy) submission and partial electronic submission; or (3) full 
electronic submission, each in accordance with the procedures provided 
in section IV.B. of the FFO announcement. The content of the 
application is the same for paper submissions as it is for electronic 
submissions. Applications completed in accordance with the instructions 
set forth in the FFO announcement, regardless of the option chosen for 
submission, will be considered for EDA funding under this request for 
applications. Incomplete applications and applications submitted by 
facsimile will not be considered.
    Paper Access: Each of the three forms listed above under 
``Application Package'' are separate attachments available at http://www.eda.gov/InvestmentsGrants/Application.xml. You may print copies of 
each of these forms from http://www.eda.gov/InvestmentsGrants/Application.xml. You also may obtain paper application packages by 
contacting the EDA representative listed above under ``For Further 
Information Contact.''
    Electronic Access: Applicants may apply electronically through 
www.grants.gov, and may access this grant opportunity synopsis by 
following the instructions provided on http://www.grants.gov/search/basic.do. The synopsis will have an application package, which is an 
electronic file that contains forms pertaining to this specific grant 
opportunity. On http://www.grants.gov/search/basic.do, applicants can 
perform a basic search for this grant opportunity by completing the 
``Keyword Search,'' the ``Search by Funding Opportunity Number,'' or 
the ``Search by CFDA Number'' field, and then clicking the ``Search'' 
button.
    Funding Availability: EDA may use funds appropriated under the 
Revised Continuing Appropriations Resolution, 2007, Pub. L. No. 110-5 
(February 15, 2007) to make awards under the NTA Program authorized 
under section 207 of the Public Works and Economic Development Act of 
1965 (42 U.S.C. 3147), as amended (PWEDA), and 13 CFR part 306, subpart 
A. Approximately $2,700,000 is available, and shall remain available 
until expended, for funding awards pursuant to this notice and request 
for applications. Based on past awards for similar projects, the range 
of total expenditures for (1) information dissemination projects has 
been from $150,000 to $250,000 and (2) national symposia has been from 
$250,000 to $450,000. EDA anticipates publishing additional FFO 
announcements (and corresponding notices in the Federal Register) under 
the NTA Program later during this fiscal year. Please note that the FFO 
announcement published on March 22, 2007 for EDA's economic development 
assistance programs references program funds allocated for Local 
Technical Assistance and National Technical Assistance. EDA may 
allocate additional funds currently available for the NTA Program to 
the Local Technical Assistance program for additional Local Technical 
Assistance projects.
    Statutory Authority: The authority for the NTA Program is 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. No. 108-373, 118 Stat. 1756 (2004)). The final 
regulations and PWEDA are accessible on EDA's Internet Web site at 
http://www.eda.gov/InvestmentsGrants/Lawsreg.xml. These regulations 
will govern an award made under this notice and request for 
applications.
    Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance (CFDA) Numbers: 11.303, 
Economic Development--Technical Assistance; 11.312, Economic 
Development--Research and Evaluation
    Eligibility Requirement: Pursuant to PWEDA, eligible applicants for 
and eligible recipients of EDA investment assistance include a District 
Organization; an Indian Tribe or a

[[Page 34227]]

consortium of Indian Tribes; a State; a city or other political 
subdivision of a State, including a special purpose unit of a State or 
local government engaged in economic or infrastructure development 
activities, or a consortium of political subdivisions; an institution 
of higher education or a consortium of institutions of higher 
education; a public or private non-profit organization or association; 
and, as provided in section 207 of PWEDA (42 U.S.C. 3147) for the NTA 
Program, a private individual or a for-profit organization. See section 
3 of PWEDA (42 U.S.C. 3122) and 13 CFR 300.3.
    Cost Sharing Requirement: Generally, the amount of the EDA grant 
may not exceed fifty (50) percent of the total cost of the project. 
However, a project may receive an additional amount that shall not 
exceed thirty (30) percent, based on the relative needs of the region 
in which the project will be located, as determined by EDA. See section 
204(a) of PWEDA (42 U.S.C. 3144) and 13 CFR 301.4(b)(1). Under this 
competitive solicitation, the Assistant Secretary of Commerce for 
Economic Development (Assistant Secretary) also 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).
    While cash contributions are preferred, in-kind contributions, 
consisting of assumptions of debt or contributions of space, equipment, 
and services, may provide the non-federal share of the total project 
cost. See section 204(b) of PWEDA (42 U.S.C. 3144). EDA will fairly 
evaluate all in-kind contributions, which must be eligible project 
costs and 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 that allows such use, 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 under the NTA Program are 
not subject to Executive Order 12372, ``Intergovernmental Review of 
Federal Programs.''
    Evaluation and Selection Procedures: To apply for an award under 
this request for applications, an eligible applicant must submit a 
completed application package to EDA before the closing date and time 
specified in the DATES section of this notice, and in the manner 
provided in section IV. of the FFO announcement. Any application 
received or transmitted, as the case may be, after 5 p.m. EST on July 
23, 2007 will not be considered for funding. Applications that do not 
meet all items required or that exceed the page limitations set forth 
in section IV.C. of the FFO announcement will be considered non-
responsive and will not be considered by the review panel. By August 
20, 2007, EDA expects to notify the applicants selected for investment 
assistance under this notice. Unsuccessful applicants will be notified 
by postal mail that their applications were not selected for funding. 
Applications that meet all the requirements will be evaluated by a 
review panel comprised of at least three (3) EDA staff members, all of 
whom will be full-time federal employees.
    Evaluation Criteria: The review panel will evaluate the 
applications and rate and rank them using the following criteria of 
approximate equal weight:
    1. Conformance with EDA's statutory and regulatory requirements, 
including the extent to which the proposed project satisfies the award 
requirements set out below and as provided in 13 CFR 306.2:
    a. Strengthens the capacity of local, State or national 
organizations and institutions to undertake and promote effective 
economic development programs targeted to regions of distress;
    b. Benefits distressed regions; and
    c. Demonstrates innovative approaches to stimulate economic 
development in distressed regions;
    2. The degree to which an EDA investment will have strong 
organizational leadership, relevant project management experience and a 
significant commitment of human resources talent to ensure the 
project's successful execution (see 13 CFR 301.8(b));
    3. The ability of the applicant to implement the proposed project 
successfully (see 13 CFR 301.8);
    4. The feasibility of the budget presented; and
    5. The cost to the Federal government.
    Selection Factors: The Assistant Secretary, as the Selecting 
Official, expects to fund the highest ranking applications, as 
recommended by the review panel, submitted under this competitive 
solicitation. However, the Assistant Secretary may not make any 
selection, or he may select an application out of rank order for the 
following reasons: (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 applicant's performance under previous awards; 
or (3) the availability of funding.

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, published in the Federal Register on 
December 30, 2004 (69 FR 78389), are applicable to this competitive 
solicitation. This notice may be accessed by entering the Federal 
Register volume and page number provided in the previous sentence at 
the following Internet Web site: http://www.gpoaccess.gov/fr/retrieve.html.

Paperwork Reduction Act

    This request for applications contains collections of information 
subject to the requirements of the Paperwork Reduction Act (PRA). The 
Office of Management and Budget (OMB) has approved the use of Form ED-
900A (Application for Investment Assistance) under control number 0610-
0094. Form ED-900A's program-specific component (National Technical 
Assistance, Training, and Research and Evaluation Program Requirements) 
also is approved under OMB control number 0610-0094, and incorporates 
Forms SF-424A (Budget Information--Non-Construction Programs, OMB 
control number 0348-0044) and SF-424B (Assurances--Non-Construction 
Programs, OMB control number 0348-0040). OMB has approved the use of 
Form SF-424 (Application for Financial Assistance) under control number 
4040-0004. 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 the 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, ``Regulatory Planning and Review.''

Executive Order 13132

    It has been determined that this notice does not contain ``policies 
that have Federalism implications,'' as that phrase is defined in 
Executive Order 13132, ``Federalism.''

[[Page 34228]]

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: June 15, 2007.
Benjamin Erulkar,
Deputy Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Economic Development and 
Chief Operating Officer.
[FR Doc. E7-12003 Filed 6-20-07; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-24-P