[Federal Register Volume 72, Number 135 (Monday, July 16, 2007)]
[Notices]
[Pages 38812-38815]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E7-13586]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

Economic Development Administration

[Docket No.: 070628222-7223-01]


Solicitation of Applications for the National Technical 
Assistance, Training, Research and Evaluation Program: Regional 
Training Curriculum Implementation

AGENCY: Economic Development Administration, Department of Commerce.

ACTION: Notice and request for applications.

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SUMMARY: The Economic Development Administration (EDA) is soliciting 
applications for FY 2007 National Technical Assistance, Training, 
Research and Evaluation program (NTA Program) funding. Recent studies 
on economic development, including several EDA-funded reports, stress 
the importance of a regional approach to successful economic 
development. However, the actual implementation of economic development 
from the regional perspective is not robust. Therefore, in FY 2006, EDA 
funded the development of a practitioner-oriented curriculum to 
acquaint local economic development practitioners with the benefits, 
process, and practice of economic regionalism. Pursuant to this notice 
and the NTA Program, EDA now solicits applications to deliver this 
curriculum to practitioners across the Nation. 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 August 13, 2007 at 5 p.m. EDT; or (2) transmitted and time-
stamped at www.grants.gov no later than August 13, 2007 at 5 p.m. EDT. 
Any application received or transmitted, as the case may be, after 5 
p.m. EDT on August 13, 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

[[Page 38813]]

submissions. By September 10, 2007, EDA expects to notify the applicant 
selected for investment assistance under this notice. The selected 
applicant should expect to receive funding for its project 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: Completed applications submitted pursuant 
to this notice and request for applications may be 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 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. Applicants may wish to use a guaranteed 
overnight delivery service.
    Electronic Submissions: Applicants submitting full or partial paper 
submissions are encouraged to do so by e-mail. Completed applications 
may be e-mailed to William P. Kittredge, Senior Program Analyst, at 
[email protected]. Applicants also 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 electronic files in Microsoft 
Word, WordPerfect, Lotus or Excel formats.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For additional information on the NTA 
Program or to obtain paper application packages for this notice, 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 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).
    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 www.grants.gov and at http://www.eda.gov.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
    Background Information: Recent studies on economic development, 
including several EDA-funded reports, stress the importance of a 
regional approach to successful economic development. However, the 
actual implementation of economic development from the regional 
perspective is not robust. Therefore, in FY 2006, EDA funded the 
development of a practitioner-oriented curriculum to acquaint local 
economic development practitioners with the benefits, process, and 
practice of economic regionalism. Through this notice and request for 
applications, EDA now solicits applications for the nationwide delivery 
of this curriculum to economic development practitioners.
    Applicants should describe the number of training sessions 
(workshops) contemplated, the methods by which appropriate participants 
will be identified, and what, if any, certification or other credential 
will be awarded to participants who successfully complete the training. 
The curriculum currently being developed is based, in part, on a needs 
assessment conducted as part of the development process. The assessment 
report is available online at http://knowyourregion.wcu.edu/pdf/EDANeedsAssessment.pdf.
    The workshop format and materials are in the final stages of 
development. EDA anticipates the final format will be two-day workshops 
designed to develop forward-thinking regional economic development 
plans that generate momentum for regional economic development and help 
practitioners identify and access appropriate federal resources. Based 
on real world planning experiences in many different regions, as well 
as the latest thinking of federal policy makers, the workshops are 
intended to help economic development practitioners understand their 
regions in a knowledge-based economy and develop a global competitive 
advantage.
    Under this notice and request for applications, a nationwide 
implementation of the workshops is required, although the specific 
number of workshops is at the applicant's discretion. Applications 
incorporating workshops that leverage EDA investment assistance are 
preferred. One example of leveraging is a workshop coincident with 
practitioner association meetings at the national, regional, and State 
levels. EDA will require the recipient to evaluate the workshops' 
impact via an exit survey, the results of which are reported to EDA 
following each workshop.
    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 components of the 
application package in accordance with the instructions provided in 
sections IV. and VII.B. of the FFO announcement.
    Submitting Application Packages: Applications may be submitted in 
one of 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 notice. 
Incomplete applications and applications submitted by facsimile will 
not be considered.
    Section IV.C.2. of the FFO announcement provides a checklist of all 
items that a complete application package must include. As stated in 
section I.B. of the FFO announcement, EDA contemplates a three-year 
cycle of funding under this competitive solicitation. Therefore, 
applicants must submit a separate budget for each year of the three-
year project period. The

[[Page 38814]]

budget must include columns reflecting the federal, non-federal cash, 
non-federal in-kind and total amounts allocated to each budget line-
item for each project year. Applicants should use the budget categories 
identified in ``Section B--Budget Categories'' of Form SF-424A, with 
sub-categories and explanations as necessary.
    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 the NTA Program. Based 
on past experience with its NTA Program, EDA anticipates the award made 
under this request for applications to be between $275,000 and $375,000 
for the first year of the project period. EDA published the first two 
of three Federal Register notices under the NTA Program on June 21, 
2007 (72 FR 34225) and July 6, 2007 (72 FR 36952), respectively.
    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)). These regulations 
will govern an award made under this notice and request for 
applications. 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) 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 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 
request for applications, 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. EDT on August 
13, 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 September 
10, 2007, EDA expects to notify the applicant 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 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

[[Page 38815]]

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;
    5. The cost to the Federal government; and
    6. The extent to which the application:
    a. Includes workshops that leverage EDA investment assistance; and
    b. Exhibits regional dispersal and an estimated size of the 
audience and its composition (e.g., urban and rural practitioners).
    Selection Factors: The Assistant Secretary, as the Selecting 
Official, expects to fund the highest ranking application, as 
recommended by the review panel, submitted under this notice. 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), is applicable to this request for 
applications. 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.''

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: July 9, 2007.
Benjamin Erulkar,
Deputy Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Economic Development and 
Chief Operating Officer.
 [FR Doc. E7-13586 Filed 7-13-07; 8:45 am]
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