[Federal Register Volume 72, Number 237 (Tuesday, December 11, 2007)]
[Notices]
[Pages 70303-70308]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E7-23990]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

Minority Business Development Agency

[Docket No.: 071205803-7804-01]


Solicitation of Applications for the Minority Business 
Opportunity Center (MBOC) Program

AGENCY: Minority Business Development Agency, Commerce.

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: In accordance with 15 U.S.C. Section 1512 and Executive Order 
11625, the Minority Business Development Agency (MBDA) is soliciting 
competitive applications from organizations to operate a Minority 
Business Opportunity Center (MBOC) in the locations and geographical 
service areas specified in this notice. The MBOC operates through the 
use of business consultants and provides business assistance and 
brokering services directly to eligible minority-owned businesses. The 
MBOC Program's primary evaluation criterion is the dollar value of 
contracts and financial transactions awarded to eligible minority 
business enterprises (MBEs). Responsibility for ensuring that 
applications in response to this competitive solicitation are complete 
and received by MBDA on time is the sole responsibility of the 
applicant. Applications submitted must be to operate an MBOC and to 
provide business assistance and brokering services to eligible clients. 
Applications that do not meet these requirements will be rejected. This 
is not a grant program to help start or to further an individual 
business.

DATES: The closing date for receipt of applications is January 18, 2008 
at 5 p.m. Eastern Standard Time (EST). Completed applications must be 
received by MBDA at the address below for paper submissions or at 
www.Grants.gov for electronic submissions. 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 sixty (60) 
days from the close of the competition period. MBDA anticipates that 
awards under this notice will be made with a start date of April 1, 
2008.
    Pre-Application Conference: In connection with this solicitation, a 
pre-application teleconference will be held on December 18, 2007 at 1 
p.m. (EST). Participants must register at least 24 hours in advance of 
the teleconference and may participate in person or by telephone. 
Please visit the MBDA Internet Portal at http://www.mbda.gov (MBDA 
Portal) or contact an MBDA representative listed below for registration 
instructions.

ADDRESSES: (1a) Paper Submission--If Mailed: If the application is sent 
by postal mail or overnight delivery service by the applicant or its 
representative, one (1) signed original, plus two (2) copies of the 
application must be submitted. Applicants are encouraged to also submit 
an electronic copy of the proposal, budget and budget narrative on a 
CD-ROM to facilitate the processing of applications. Completed 
application packages must be mailed to: Office of Business 
Development--MBOC Program, Office of Executive Secretariat, HCHB, Room 
5063, Minority Business Development Agency, U.S. Department of 
Commerce, 1401 Constitution Avenue, NW., Washington, DC 20230.
    Applicants are advised that MBDA's receipt of mail sent via the 
United States Postal Service may be substantially delayed or suspended 
in delivery due to security measures. Applicants may

[[Page 70304]]

therefore wish to use a guaranteed overnight delivery service. 
Department of Commerce delivery policies for overnight delivery 
services require all packages to be sent to the address above.
    (1b) Paper Submission--If Hand-Delivered: If the application is 
hand-delivered by the applicant or by its representative, one (1) 
signed original, plus two (2) copies of the application must be 
delivered to: U.S. Department of Commerce, Minority Business 
Development Agency, Office of Business Development--MBOC Program 
(extension 1940), HCHB--Room 1874, Entrance 10, 15th Street, 
NW. (between Pennsylvania and Constitution Avenues), Washington, DC. 
Applicants are encouraged to also submit an electronic copy of the 
proposal, budget and budget narrative on a CD-ROM to facilitate the 
processing of applications.
    MBDA will not accept applications that are submitted by the 
deadline, but that are rejected due to the applicant's failure to 
adhere to Department of Commerce protocol for hand-deliveries.
    (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 as, in some cases, the process for 
completing an online application may require 3-5 working days.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For further information or for an 
application package, please visit MBDA's Minority Business Internet 
Portal at http://www.mbda.gov. Paper applications may also be obtained 
by contacting the MBDA Office of Business Development or the MBDA 
National Enterprise Center (NEC) in the region in which the MBOC will 
be located (see below Agency Contacts). In addition, Standard Forms 
(SF) may be obtained by accessing www.whitehouse.gov/omb/grants or 
www.grants.gov. and Department of Commerce (CD) forms may be accessed 
at www.doc.gov/forms.
    Agency Contacts:
    1. MBDA Office of Business Development, 1401 Constitution Avenue, 
NW., Room 5075, Washington, DC 20230. Contact: Efrain Gonzalez, Chief, 
202-482-1940.
    2. MBDA Atlanta National Enterprise Center (ANEC), 401 Peachtree 
Street, NW., Suite 1715, Atlanta, Georgia 30308. This region covers the 
states and territories of Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, 
Mississippi, North Carolina, Puerto Rico, South Carolina, Tennessee and 
the U.S. Virgin Islands. Contact: John Iglehart, Acting Regional 
Director, 404-730-3313 or 214-767-8001.
    3. MBDA Chicago National Enterprise Center (CNEC), 55 E. Monroe 
Street, Suite 2810, Chicago, Illinois, 60603. This region covers the 
states of Illinois Indiana, Iowa, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, 
Nebraska, Ohio, and Wisconsin. Contact: Eric Dobyne, Regional Director, 
312-353-0182.
    4. MBDA Dallas National Enterprise Center (DNEC), 1100 Commerce 
Street, Room 726, Dallas, Texas 75242. This region covers the states of 
Arkansas, Colorado, Louisiana, Montana, New Mexico, North Dakota, 
Oklahoma, South Dakota, Texas, Utah and Wyoming. Contact: John F. 
Iglehart, Regional Director, 214-767-8001.
    5. MBDA New York National Enterprise Center (NYNEC), 26 Federal 
Plaza, Room 3720, New York, New York 10278. This region covers the 
states of Connecticut, Delaware, District of Columbia, Maine, Maryland, 
New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, 
Vermont, Virginia and West Virginia. Contact: Mr. Heyward Davenport, 
Regional Director, 212-264-3262.
    6. MBDA San Francisco National Enterprise Center (SFNEC), 221 Main 
Street, Room 1280, San Francisco, California 94105. This region covers 
the states and territories of Alaska, American Samoa, Arizona, 
California, Hawaii, Idaho, Nevada, Oregon and Washington. Contact: 
Linda M. Marmolejo, Regional Director, 415-744-3001.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
    Background: The MBOC Program is a key component of MBDA's overall 
minority business development assistance program and promotes the 
growth and competitiveness of eligible minority-owned businesses. MBDA 
currently funds a network of eight (8) MBOC projects located throughout 
the United States. MBOC operators provide business assistance and 
brokering services to eligible MBEs, with an emphasis on firms with 
$500,000 or more in annual revenues or firms with ``rapid growth 
potential'' (collectively, the ``Strategic Growth Initiative'' or 
``SGI'' firms). In addition, MBOC operators provide access to 
procurement and financing opportunities within the public and private 
sectors. Pursuant to this notice, competitive applications for new 
three-year awards are being solicited for the eight (8) MBOC projects 
set forth below.
    Locations and Geographical Service Areas: MBDA is soliciting 
competitive applications from eligible organizations to operate an MBOC 
in the following locations and geographical service areas:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                       MBOC geographical
          Name of MBOC             Location of MBOC      service area
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Alabama MBOC....................  Mobile, AL........  State of Alabama.
Chicago MBOC....................  Chicago, IL.......  State of Illinois.
Florida MBOC....................  Orlando, FL.......  State of Florida.
Gary MBOC.......................  Gary, IN..........  State of Indiana.
Los Angeles MBOC................  Los Angeles, CA...  County of Los
                                                       Angeles, CA.
New Orleans MBOC................  New Orleans, LA...  New Orleans-
                                                       Metairie-Kenner,
                                                       LA MSA.**
Washington, DC MBOC.............  Washington-         Washington-
                                   Arlington-          Arlington-
                                   Alexandria, DC-VA-  Alexandria,
                                   MD-WV MSA**.       DC-VA-MD-WV MSA.**
Wisconsin MBOC..................  Milwaukee, WI.....  State of
                                                       Wisconsin.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
** Metropolitan Statistical Area, please see OMB Bulletin No. 07-01,
  Update of Statistical Area Definitions and Guidance on Their Uses
  (December 18, 2006) at http://www.whitehouse.gov/omb/bulletins.

    Electronic Access: A link to the full text of the Announcement of 
Federal Funding Opportunity (FFO) for this solicitation may be accessed 
at: http://www.Grants.gov, http://www.mbda.gov, or by contacting the 
appropriate MBDA representative identified above. The FFO contains a 
full and complete description of the requirements under the MBOC 
Program. In order to receive proper consideration, applicants must 
comply with all information and requirements contained in the FFO. 
Applicants will be able to access, download and submit electronic grant 
applications for the MBOC Program through http://www.Grants.gov. MBDA 
strongly recommends that applicants

[[Page 70305]]

not wait until the application deadline date to begin the application 
process through Grants.gov as in some cases the process for completing 
an online application may require additional time (e.g., 3-5 working 
days). 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 during the selection 
process to applications which address the following MBDA funding 
priorities:
    (a) Proposals that include performance goals that exceed by 10% or 
more the minimum performance goal requirements set forth in the FFO;
    (b) Applicants who are headquartered and demonstrate an exceptional 
ability and leadership in identifying and working towards the 
elimination of barriers which limit the access of minority businesses 
to markets and capital in the applicable MBOC geographical service 
area;
    (c) Applicants who demonstrate an exceptional ability to identify 
and work with minority firms seeking to obtain large-scale contracts 
and/or insertion into supply chains with institutional customers;
    (d) Proposals that utilize fee for service models and those that 
use innovative approaches to charging and collecting fees from clients;
    (e) Proposals that take a regional approach in providing services 
to eligible clients;
    (f) Proposals from applicants with an existing client base in the 
applicable MBOC geographic service area that exceeds by 50% or more the 
applicable performance goal for the minimum number of clients served; 
or
    (g) Proposals that demonstrate an ability to establish an MBOC that 
has an industry specific focus and that demonstrate the leveraging of 
one or more economic clusters, including but not limited to aerospace, 
manufacturing, construction, financial services, information technology 
and automotive industries.
    Funding Availability: MBDA anticipates that a total of 
approximately $1,750,000 will be available in each of FYs 2008 through 
2010 to fund financial assistance awards for the eight (8) MBOC 
projects referenced in this competitive solicitation. The total award 
period for awards made under this competitive solicitation is 
anticipated to be three years and all awards are expected to be made 
with a start date of April 1, 2008. The anticipated amount of the 
financial assistance award for each MBOC project (including the minimum 
20% non-federal cost share) is as follows:

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                April 1, 2008 through March 31,     April 1, 2009 through March 31,     April 1, 2010 through March 31,
                                                             2009                                2010                                2011
                                             -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                Project name                                             Non-                                Non-                                Non-
                                              Total cost    Federal     federal   Total cost    Federal     federal   Total cost    Federal     federal
                                                  ($)      share ($)   share ($)      ($)      share ($)   share ($)      ($)      share ($)   share ($)
                                                                      (20% min.)                          (20% min.)                          (20% min.)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Alabama MBOC................................     162,500     130,000      32,500     162,500     130,000      32,500     162,500     130,000      32,500
Chicago MBOC................................     375,000     300,000      75,000     375,000     300,000      75,000     375,000     300,000      75,000
Florida MBOC................................     250,000     200,000      50,000     250,000     200,000      50,000     250,000     200,000      50,000
Gary MBOC...................................     162,500     130,000      32,500     162,500     130,000      32,500     162,500     130,000      32,500
Los Angeles MBOC............................     375,000     300,000      75,000     375,000     300,000      75,000     375,000     300,000      75,000
Louisiana MBOC..............................     325,000     260,000      65,000     325,000     260,000      65,000     325,000     260,000      65,000
Washington, DC MBOC.........................     375,000     300,000      75,000     375,000     300,000      75,000     375,000     300,000      75,000
Wisconsin MBOC..............................     162,500     130,000      32,500     162,500     130,000      32,500     162,500     130,000      32,500
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Applicants must submit project plans and budgets for each of the 
three (3) program years under the award (April 1, 2008-March 31, 2009, 
April 1, 2009-March 31, 2010 and April 1, 2010-March 31, 2011). 
Projects will be funded for no more than one year at a time. Project 
operators will not compete for funding in subsequent program years 
within the approved award period. However, operators that fail to 
achieve a ``satisfactory'' or better performance rating for the 
preceding program year may be denied second- or third-year funding (as 
the case may be). Recommendations for second- and third-year funding 
are generally evaluated by MBDA based on a mid-year performance rating 
and/or combination of mid-year and cumulative third quarter performance 
ratings. In making such funding recommendations, MBDA and the 
Department of Commerce will consider the facts and circumstances of 
each case, such as but not limited to market conditions, most recent 
performance of the operator and other mitigating circumstances.
    Applicants are hereby given notice that FY 2008 funds have not yet 
been appropriated for the MBOC program. Accordingly, MBDA issues this 
notice subject to the appropriations made available under the current 
continuing resolution, H.J. Res. 52, ``Making continuing appropriations 
for the fiscal year 2008, and for other purposes,'' Public Law 110-92, 
as amended by H.R. 3222, Public Law 110-116. 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 MBDA or Department of Commerce priorities.
    Authority: 15 U.S.C. 1512 and Executive Order 11625.
    Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance (CFDA): 11.803, Minority 
Business Opportunity Center Program.
    Eligibility: For-profit entities (including but not limited to 
sole-proprietorships, partnerships, and corporations), non-profit 
organizations, state and local government entities, American Indian 
Tribes, and educational institutions are eligible to operate an MBOC.
    Program Description: MBDA is soliciting competitive applications 
from organizations to operate a Minority Business Opportunity Center 
(MBOC) (formerly the Minority Business Opportunity Committee Program). 
The MBOC will operate through the use of trained professional business 
consultants who will assist eligible minority entrepreneurs through 
direct client engagements. The MBOC is supported by a volunteer 
advisory committee that assists the MBOC operator in implementing 
program

[[Page 70306]]

requirements and providing contract and financing opportunities to 
eligible minority entrepreneurs.
    Minority entrepreneurs eligible for assistance under the MBOC 
Program are African Americans, Puerto Ricans, Spanish-speaking 
Americans, Aleuts, Asian Pacific Americans, Native Americans (including 
Alaska Natives, Alaska Native Corporations and tribal entities), 
Eskimos, Asian Indians and Hasidic Jews. No service may be denied to 
any member of the eligible groups listed above.
    The MBOC Program generally requires project staff to provide 
standardized business assistance and brokering services directly to 
eligible MBE clients, with an emphasis on those firms with $500,000 or 
more in annual revenues or those eligible firms with ``rapid growth 
potential'' (``Strategic Growth Initiative'' or ``SGI'' firms); to 
develop and maintain a network of strategic partnerships; to provide 
collaborative consulting services with MBDA and other MBDA funded 
programs and strategic partners; and to provide referral services (as 
necessary) for client transactions. MBOC operators will assist MBE 
clients in accessing federal and non-federal contracting and financing 
opportunities that result in demonstrable client outcomes. The MBOC 
Program's primary evaluation criterion is the dollar value of contracts 
and financial transactions awarded to MBEs. MBOCs also provide business 
assistance services including but not limited to assessing client 
capabilities and needs, and assisting the client in developing a course 
of action to successfully obtain contracts and financial transactions. 
Specific work requirements and performance metrics are used by MBDA to 
evaluate each project and are a key component of the MBOC program and 
are fully set forth in the FFO.
    The MBOC Program also incorporates an entrepreneurial approach to 
building market stability and improving quality of services delivered. 
This strategy expands the reach of the MBOCs by requiring project 
operators to develop and build upon strategic alliances with public and 
private sector partners, as a means of serving minority-owned firms 
within each MBOC's geographical service area. This entrepreneurial 
strategy expands the reach of the MBOCs by requiring project operators 
to develop and build upon its advisory committee and strategic 
alliances with public and private sector partners as a means of serving 
minority-owned firms within each MBOC's geographical service area. The 
MBOC Program is also designed to leverage MBDA resources including but 
not limited to: MBDA Office of Business Development; MBDA National 
Enterprise Centers; MBDA Business Internet Portal; and MBDA's network 
of Native American Business Enterprise Centers (NABECs), Minority 
Business Enterprise Centers (MBECs), and other MBOCs. MBOC operators 
are required to attend a variety of MBDA training programs designed to 
increase operational efficiencies and the provision of value-added 
client services.
    MBOC operators are generally required to provide the following 
three client services: (1) Facilitate the Award of Contract and 
Financial Transactions--this involves providing business assistance and 
brokering services to minority-owned businesses, including the 
identification of public and private sector contract and financing 
opportunities; (2) MBOC Advisory Committee and Subcommittees--this 
involves the establishment and operation of an advisory committee 
consisting of public and private sector executives and key decision 
makers that assists the MBOC operator in implementing its program and 
in identifying upcoming contract and financing opportunities for MBEs; 
and (3) Program Promotion and Advocacy--the MBOC operator is required 
to promote its activities within the minority business community and to 
advocate the use of minority businesses with respect to contracting and 
financing opportunities.
    Please refer to the FFO pertaining to this competitive solicitation 
for a full and complete description of the application and programmatic 
requirements under the MBOC Program.
    Match Requirements: The MBOC Program requires a minimum non-federal 
cost share of 20%, which must be reflected in the proposed project 
budget. Non-federal cost share is the portion of the project cost not 
borne by the Federal Government. Applicants must satisfy the non-
federal cost sharing requirements in one or more of the following four 
means or in any combination thereof: (1) Client fees; (2) applicant 
cash contributions; (3) applicant in-kind (i.e., non-cash) 
contributions; or (4) third-party in-kind contributions. The MBOC 
operator may but is not required to charge client fees for services 
rendered, although MBDA encourages the applicant to implement a fee-
for-service program. Client fees (if imposed) must be used towards 
meeting non-federal cost share requirements and must be used in 
furtherance of the program objectives. Applicants will be awarded up to 
five bonus points to the extent that the proposed project budget 
includes a non-federal cost share contribution, measured as a 
percentage of the overall project budget, exceeding 20% (see Evaluation 
Criterion below).
    Evaluation Criterion: Proposals will be evaluated and applicants 
will be selected based on the below evaluation criterion. The maximum 
total number of points that an application may receive is 105, 
including the bonus points for exceeding the minimum required non-
federal cost sharing, except when oral presentations are made by 
applicants. If oral presentations are made (see below: Oral 
Presentation--Optional), the maximum total of points that can be earned 
is 115. The number of points assigned to each evaluation criterion will 
be determined on a competitive basis by the MBDA review panel based on 
the quality of the application with respect to each evaluation 
criterion.

1. Applicant Capability (40 Points)

    Proposals will be evaluated with respect to the applicant's 
experience and expertise in providing the work requirements listed. 
Specifically, proposals will be evaluated as follows:
    (a) Community--Experience in and knowledge of the minority 
community, minority business sector and strategies for enhancing its 
growth and expansion; particular emphasis shall be on expanding SGI 
firms. Consideration will be given as to whether the applicant has an 
``established presence'' in the applicable MBOC geographical service 
area at the time of its application. For this purpose, ``established 
presence'' means that the applicant has had an office in the applicable 
MBOC geographical service area for at least three (3) years preceding 
the date of this FFO and has established working relationships with 
purchasing and financing organizations in such area (4 points);
    (b) Business Consulting (Brokering)--Experience in and knowledge of 
brokering procurements and financial transaction with respect to 
minority firms, with an emphasis on SGI firms in the applicable MBOC 
geographical service area (5 points);
    (c) Financing--Experience in and knowledge of the preparation and 
formulation of successful financial transactions, with an emphasis on 
the applicable MBOC geographical service area (5 points);
    (d) 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 clients into 
supply chains (5 points);
    (e) Financing Networks--Resources and professional relationships 
within

[[Page 70307]]

the corporate, banking and investment community that may be beneficial 
to minority-owned firms (5 points);
    (f) Establishment of a Self-Sustainable Service Model--Summary plan 
to establish a self-sustainable model for continued services to the MBE 
community beyond the three-year MBDA award period (3 points);
    (g) MBE Advocacy--Experience and expertise in advocating on behalf 
of minority communities and 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
    (h) Key Staff--Assessment of the qualifications, experience and 
proposed role of staff that will operate the MBOC. 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 program services. At a minimum the 
applicant must identify a proposed project director (10 points).

2. Resources (20 Points)

    The applicant's proposal will be evaluated as followed:
    (a) Resources--Resources (not included as part of the non-federal 
cost share) that will be used in implementing the program, including 
but not limited to existing prior and/or current data lists that will 
serve in fostering immediate success for the MBOC (8 points);
    (b) Location--Assessment of the applicant's strategic rationale for 
the proposed physical location of the MBOC. Applicant is encouraged to 
establish a location for the MBOC that is in a building which is 
separate and apart from any of the applicant's existing offices in the 
geographical service area (2 points);
    (c) Partners--How the applicant plans to establish and maintain the 
network of strategic partners and the manner in which these partners 
will support the MBOC in meeting program performance goals (5 points); 
and
    (d) Equipment--How the applicant plans to satisfy the MBOC 
information technology requirements, including computer hardware, 
software requirements and network map (5 points).

3. Techniques and Methodologies (20 Points)

    The applicant's proposal will be evaluated as follows:
    (a) Performance Measures--For each program year, the manner in 
which the applicant relates each performance measure to the financial 
information and market resources available in the applicable MBOC 
geographical service area (including existing client list); how the 
applicant will create MBOC brand recognition (marketing plan); and how 
the applicant will satisfy program performance goals. In particular, 
emphasis may be placed on the manner in which the applicant matches 
MBOC performance goals with client service hours and how it accounts 
for existing market conditions in its strategy to achieve such goals 
(10 points);
    (b) Start-up Phase--How the applicant will commence MBOC operations 
within the initial 30-day period. The MBOC shall have thirty (30) days 
to become fully operational after an award is made (3 points); and
    (c) Work Requirement Execution Plan--The applicant will be 
evaluated on how effectively and efficiently staff time will be used to 
achieve the work requirements, particularly with respect to periods 
beyond the start-up phase (7 points).

4. Proposed Budget and Budget Narrative (20 Points)

    The applicant's proposal will be evaluated as follows:
    (a) Reasonableness, Allowability and Allocability of Proposed 
Program Costs. All of the proposed program costs expenditures should be 
discussed and the budget line-item narrative must match the proposed 
budget. Fringe benefits and other percentage item calculations should 
match the proposed budget line-item and narrative (5 points);
    (b) Non-Federal Cost Share. The required 20% non-Federal share must 
be adequately addressed and properly documented, including but not 
limited to how client fees (if proposed) will be used by the applicant 
in meeting the non-federal cost-share (5 points); and
    (c) Performance-Based Budgeting. The extent to which the line-item 
budget and budget narrative relate to the accomplishment of the MBOC 
work requirements and performance measures (i.e., performance-based 
budgeting) (10 points).
    Bonus for Non-Federal Cost Sharing (maximum of 5 points): Proposals 
with non-federal cost sharing exceeding 20% of the total project costs 
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. Non-federal cost sharing of at least 20% is 
required under the MBOC Program. Non-federal cost sharing is the 
portion of the total project cost not borne by the Federal Government 
and may be met by the applicant in any one or more of the following 
four means (or in a combination thereof): (1) Client fees (if 
proposed); (2) cash contributions; (3) non-cash applicant 
contributions; or (4) third party in-kind contributions.

5. Oral Presentation--Optional (10 Points)

    Oral presentations are optional and held only when requested by 
MBDA. This action may be initiated for the top two (2) ranked 
applications for each project and will be applied on a consistent basis 
for each project competition. Oral presentations will be used to 
establish a final evaluation and ranking.
    The applicant's presentation will be evaluated as to the extent to 
which the presentation demonstrates:
    (a) How the applicant will effectively and efficiently assist MBDA 
in the accomplishment of its mission (2 points);
    (b) Business operating priorities designed to manage a successful 
MBOC (2 points);
    (c) A management philosophy that achieves an effective balance 
between micromanagement and complete autonomy for its Project Director 
(2 points);
    (d) Robust search criteria for the identification of a Project 
Director (1 point);
    (e) Effective employee recruitment and retention policies and 
procedures (1 point); and
    (f) 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. An application will be considered non-
responsive and will not be evaluated by the review panel if it is 
received after the closing date for receipt of applications, the 
applicant fails to submit an original, signed Form SF-424 by the 
application closing date (paper applications only), or the application 
does not provide for the operation of an MBOC. Other application 
deficiencies may be accounted for through point deductions during panel 
review.
2. Panel Review
    Each application will receive an independent, objective review by a 
panel qualified to evaluate the

[[Page 70308]]

applications submitted. The review panel will consist of at least 3 
persons, all of whom will be full-time federal employees and at least 
one of whom will be an MBDA employee, who will review the applications 
for a specified project based on the above evaluation criterion. Each 
reviewer shall evaluate and provide a score for each proposal. Each 
project review panel (through the panel Chairperson) shall provide the 
MBDA National Director (Recommending Official) with a ranking of the 
applications based on the average of the reviewers' scores and shall 
also provide a recommendation regarding funding of the highest scoring 
application.
3. Oral Presentation--Upon MBDA Request
    MBDA may invite the two (2) top-ranked applicants for each project 
competition to develop and provide an oral presentation. If an oral 
presentation is requested, the affected 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 
PowerPoint presentation (or equivalent) to MBDA that addresses the oral 
presentation criteria set forth above. The presentation must be 
submitted at least 24 hours before the scheduled date and time of the 
presentation. The presentation will be made to the MBDA National 
Director (or his/her designee) and up to three senior MBDA staff who 
did not serve on the original review 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 applicant will 
present to MBDA staff only; competitors are not permitted to listen 
(and/or watch) other presentations.
    All costs pertaining to this presentation shall be borne by the 
applicant. MBOC 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 criterion provided above. An average score 
shall be compiled and added to the score of the original panel review.
4. Final Recommendation
    The MBDA National Director makes the final recommendation to the 
Grants Officer regarding the funding of applications under this 
competitive solicitation. MBDA expects to recommend for funding the 
highest ranking application for each project, as evaluated and 
recommended by the review panel and taking into account oral 
presentations (as applicable). However, the MBDA National Director may 
not make any selection, or he may select an application out of rank 
order for the following reasons:
    (a) A determination that an application better addresses one or 
more of the funding priorities for this competition. The National 
Director (or his/her designee) reserves the right to conduct one or 
more site visits (subject to the availability of funding), in order to 
make a better assessment of an applicant's capability to achieve the 
funding priorities; or
    (b) The availability of MBDA funding.
    Prior to making a final recommendation to the Grants Officer, MBDA 
may request that the apparent winner of the competition provide written 
clarifications (as necessary) regarding its application.
    Intergovernmental Review: Applications under this program are not 
subject to Executive Order 12372, ``Intergovernmental Review of Federal 
Programs.''
    Limitation of Liability: 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 MBDA or 
Department of Commerce priorities. All funding periods are subject to 
the availability of funds to support the continuation of the project 
and the Department of Commerce and MBDA priorities. Publication of this 
notice does not obligate the Department of Commerce or MBDA to award 
any specific cooperative agreement or to obligate all or any part of 
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 Federal Register notice (68 FR 38402) for additional information. 
Organizations can receive a DUNS number at no cost by calling the 
dedicated toll-free DUNS Number request line at 1-866-705-5711 or 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 and an opportunity for public comment are not required by the 
Administrative Procedure Act for rules concerning public property, 
loans, grants, benefits, or 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: December 6, 2007.
Ronald N. Langston,
National Director, Minority Business Development Agency.
 [FR Doc. E7-23990 Filed 12-10-07; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-21-P