[Federal Register Volume 73, Number 155 (Monday, August 11, 2008)]
[Notices]
[Pages 46589-46590]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E8-18498]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

Minority Business Development Agency

[Docket No.: 071121729-81040-02]


Extension of the Award Period for Certain Native American 
Business Enterprise Centers

AGENCY: Minority Business Development Agency, Commerce.

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: The Minority Business Development Agency (MBDA) is publishing 
this notice to allow for up to a twelve (12) month funded extension, on 
a non-competitive basis, of the overall award periods for those Native 
American Business Enterprise Centers (NABECs) identified in this 
notice. MBDA is taking this action to allow for continued program 
delivery by the incumbent NABECs operators while MBDA completes the 
competitive solicitation and award processes for the next three (3) 
year award period for these projects.

DATES: The award period and related funding, if approved by the 
Department of Commerce Grants Officer, will commence September 1, 2008 
and will continue for a period not to exceed twelve (12) months.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. Efrain Gonzalez, Chief, Office of 
Business Development, Minority Business Development Agency, 1401 
Constitution Avenue, NW., Room 5075, Washington, DC 20230. Mr. Gonzalez 
may be reached by telephone at (202) 482-1940 and by e-mail at 
[email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Pursuant to Executive Order 11625, the NABEC 
Program provides standardized business assistance and development 
services directly to eligible Native American and minority-owned 
businesses. The NABEC Program is a key component of MBDA's overall 
business development assistance program and promotes the growth and 
competitiveness of minority business enterprises and further 
incorporates an entrepreneurial approach to the delivery of client 
services. This entrepreneurial strategy expands the reach and service 
delivery of the NABEC Program by requiring project operators to develop 
and to build upon strategic alliances with public and private sector 
partners as a means of serving eligible businesses within each NABEC 
applicable geographical service area.
    This notice amends MBDA's prior Federal Register notice dated May 
11, 2007 (72 FR 26783), to allow for up to a 12-month funded extension, 
on a non-competitive basis, of the overall award period for the 
following two NABECs: New Mexico NABEC (American Indian Chamber of 
Commerce); and the Oklahoma NABEC (Rural Enterprises of Oklahoma, 
Inc.). MBDA is taking this action to allow for continued program 
delivery by the incumbent NABEC operators while MBDA completes the 
competitive solicitation and award processes for the next 3-year award 
period for these projects.
    The allowable award extensions and additional funding set forth 
herein will be made at the sole discretion of MBDA and the Department 
of Commerce (Department). In making such determinations, the following 
factors will be considered: (1) Whether the NABEC operator is currently 
performing at a ``Satisfactory'' (or better) program performance level 
at the time the Grants Officer approves the extension; (2) the 
availability of appropriated funds; and (3) MBDA and Department 
priorities. The project's performance rating will be evaluated through 
the standardized performance reports and assessments required under the 
NABEC Program.
    In no event will MBDA or the Department of Commerce be responsible 
to cover any costs incurred outside of the current award period by the 
incumbent operators of the NABEC projects affected by this notice if 
these NABEC projects are delayed, suspended or cancelled because of 
other MBDA or Department priorities. Publication of this announcement 
does not oblige MBDA or the Department to award any extensions or to 
obligate any available funds for such purpose.

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 February 11, 2008 
Federal Register notice (73 FR 7696) are applicable to this notice.

Executive Order 12866

    This notice has been determined to be not significant for purposes 
of E.O. 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 comment are not required 
by the Administrative Procedure Act for rules concerning public 
property, loans, 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 is not required and has 
not been prepared.

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


[[Page 46590]]


    Dated: August 6, 2008.
Ronald N. Langston,
National Director, Minority Business Development Agency.
[FR Doc. E8-18498 Filed 8-8-08; 8:45 am]
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