[Federal Register Volume 73, Number 195 (Tuesday, October 7, 2008)]
[Notices]
[Pages 58555-58560]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E8-23739]


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

DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

Minority Business Development Agency

[Docket No.: 0809301287-81291-01]


Solicitation of Applications for the Minority Business Enterprise 
Center (MBEC) Program

AGENCY: Minority Business Development Agency, Commerce.

ACTION: Notice.

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

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 Enterprise Center (MBEC) in Houston, TX. The MBEC operates 
through the use of business consultants and provides a range of 
business consulting and technical assistance services directly to 
eligible minority-owned businesses in the Houston-Sugar Land-Baytown, 
Texas Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA). 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 a MBEC and to 
provide business consultation 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 November 7, 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 
http://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 forty-five 
(45) days from the closing date for receipt of applications. MBDA 
anticipates that one award under this notice will be made with a start 
date of January 1, 2009.
    Pre-Application Conference: In connection with this solicitation, a 
pre-application teleconference will be held on October 21, 2008 at 1 
p.m. Eastern Daylight Time (EDT). 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. Complete 
application packages must be mailed to: Office of Business 
Development--MBEC 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 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

[[Page 58556]]

must be delivered. 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. Complete application 
packages must be delivered to: U.S. Department of Commerce, Minority 
Business Development Agency, Office of Business Development--MBEC 
Program (extension 1940), HCHB--Room 1874, Entrance 10, 15th 
Street, NW. (between Pennsylvania and Constitution Avenues), 
Washington, DC. 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 MBEC will 
be located (see below Agency Contacts). In addition, Standard Forms 
(SF) may be obtained by accessing http://www.whitehouse.gov/omb/grants 
or http://www.grants.gov and Department of Commerce (CD) forms may be 
accessed at http://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. 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.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 
    Background: The MBEC 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. MBEC 
operators leverage project staff and professional consultants to 
provide a wide-range of direct business assistance services to eligible 
minority-owned firms, including but not limited to initial 
consultations and assessments, business technical assistance, and 
access to federal and non-federal procurement and financing 
opportunities. MBDA currently funds a network of 33 MBEC projects 
located throughout the United States. Pursuant to this notice, 
competitive applications for new awards are being solicited for the 
MBEC project identified below.
    Pursuant to a grant competition held in 2006, MBDA made a three (3) 
year award for the operation of the Houston MBEC project for the period 
of January 1, 2007-December 31, 2009. See 71 FR 42352. However, the 
incumbent operator of the Houston MBEC intends to terminate the current 
award for the Houston MBEC project as of December 31, 2008. The purpose 
of this competition is to find an operator for the Houston MBEC project 
as MBDA intends to maintain delivery of program services in this 
geographical area. The new award for the Houston MBEC project is 
expected to be made with a three (3) year award of January 1, 2009-
December 31, 2011.
    Location and Geographical Service Area: MBDA is soliciting 
competitive applications from organizations to operate an MBEC in the 
following location and geographical service area:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                       MBEC geographical
          Name of MBEC             Location of MBEC     service area **
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Houston MBEC....................  Houston, TX.......  Houston-Sugar Land-
                                                       Baytown, TX MSA
                                                       **.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
** Metropolitan Statistical Area, please see OMB Bulletin No.08-01,
  Update of Statistical Area Definitions and Guidance on Their Uses
  (November 20, 2007) 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 MBEC 
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 MBEC Program through http://www.Grants.gov. 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 
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 in the FFO;
    (b) Applicants who demonstrate an exceptional ability to identify 
and work towards the elimination of barriers which limit the access of 
minority businesses to markets and capital;
    (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 take a regional approach in providing services 
to eligible clients; or
    (e) Proposals from applicants with pre-existing or established 
operations in the identified geographic service area.
    Funding Availability: MBDA anticipates that approximately $291,000 
will be available in each of Fiscal Years (FYs) 2009-2011 to fund the 
financial assistance award for the Houston MBEC project. The total 
award period for the project is anticipated to be three (3) years and 
to cover the period January 1, 2009-December 31, 2011. The anticipated 
level of Federal funding and the minimum non-federal matching share for 
the Houston MBEC project for each funding period is set forth in the 
below table (the actual award amount

[[Page 58557]]

may vary depending on the availability of appropriated funds and on 
MBDA and Department of Commerce priorities).

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                               January 1, 2009 through December    January 1, 2010 through  December   January 1, 2011 through  December
                                                           31, 2009                            31, 2010                            31, 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.)                          (10% min.)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Houston MBEC................................    $363,750    $291,000     $72,500    $363,750    $291,000     $72,500    $363,750    $291,000     $72,500
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Applicants must submit project plans and budgets for each of the 
three (3) funding periods under this award (January 1-December 31, 
2009, January 1-December 31, 2010 and January 1-December 31, 2011). 
Projects will initially be funded for the first funding period and will 
not have to compete for funding in the second and third funding 
periods. However, operators that fail to achieve a ``Satisfactory'' or 
better performance rating for the current funding period may be denied 
funding for subsequent funding periods. Recommendations for funding for 
subsequent funding periods are generally evaluated by MBDA based on a 
``Satisfactory'' or better mid-year program performance rating (i.e., 
January 1, 20xx-June 30, 20xx) and/or a combination of a mid-year and 
cumulative third-quarter (i.e., January 1, 20xx-September 30, 20xx) 
``Satisfactory'' or better performance rating for the current funding 
period. 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.
    Funding for the program listed in this notice is contingent upon 
the availability of FY 2009 appropriations. MBDA issues this notice 
subject to the appropriations made available under the current 
continuing resolution, H.R. 2638, ``Consolidated Security, Disaster 
Assistance, and Continuing Appropriations Act, 2009,'' Public Law 110-
329. 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 Department of Commerce or MBDA 
priorities. All funding periods under the award are subject to the 
availability of funds to support the continuation of the project. 
Publication of this FFO 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.
    Authority: 15 U.S.C. Section 1512 and Executive Order 11625.
    Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance (CFDA): 11.800, Minority 
Business Enterprise Centers.
    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 MBEC.
    Program Description: MBDA is soliciting competitive applications 
from organizations to operate a Minority Business Enterprise Center 
(MBEC) (formerly known as Minority Business Development Centers). The 
MBEC will operate through the use of trained professional business 
consultants who will assist eligible minority entrepreneurs through 
direct client engagements. Entrepreneurs eligible for assistance under 
the MBEC 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 MBEC Program generally requires project staff to provide 
standardized business assistance services directly to ``eligible 
minority owned firms,'' with an emphasis on those firms with $500,000 
or more in annual revenues and/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. MBEC operators will assist eligible 
minority-owned firms in accessing federal and non-federal contracting 
and financing opportunities that result in demonstrable client 
outcomes.
    The MBEC Program incorporates an entrepreneurial approach to 
building market stability and improving the quality of client services. 
This entrepreneurial strategy expands the reach of the MBECs 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 MBEC's geographical service area. The 
MBEC Program is also designed to effectively leverage MBDA resources, 
including but not limited to: MBDA Office of Business Development and 
MBDA National Enterprise Centers; MBDA's Business Internet Portal; and 
MBDA's nationwide network of MBECs, Native American Business Enterprise 
Centers (NABECs) and Minority Business Opportunity Centers (MBOCs). 
MBEC operators are also required to attend a variety of MBDA training 
programs designed to increase operational efficiencies and the 
provision of value-added client services.
    MBEC operators are generally required to provide the following four 
client services: (1) Client Assessment--this is a standardized service 
activity that includes identifying the client's immediate and long-term 
needs and establishes a projected growth track; (2) Strategic Business 
Consulting--this involves providing intensive business consulting 
services that can be delivered as personalized consulting or group 
consulting; (3) Access to Capital--this assistance is designed to 
secure the financial capital necessary for client growth, and (4) 
Access to Markets--this involves assisting clients to identify and 
access opportunities for increased sales and revenues.
    Please refer to the FFO pertaining to this competitive solicitation 
for a full and complete description of the application and programmatic 
requirements under the MBEC Program.
    Match Requirements: The MBEC 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

[[Page 58558]]

must satisfy the non-federal cost sharing requirements in one or more 
of the following four means or 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 
MBEC is required to charge client fees for services rendered and such 
fees must be used by the operator towards meeting the non-federal cost 
share requirements under the award. 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 one applicant 
may 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 a 
physical presence in the geographic service area at the time of its 
application (4 points);
    (b) Business Consulting--Experience in and knowledge of business 
consulting with respect to minority firms, with emphasis on SGI firms 
in the geographic service area (5 points);
    (c) Financing--Experience in and knowledge of the preparation and 
formulation of successful financial transactions, with an emphasis on 
the geographic 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 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 
communities beyond the 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 MBEC. In particular, an 
assessment will be made to determine whether proposed key staff possess 
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 MBEC (8 points);
    (b) Location--Assessment of the applicant's strategic rationale for 
the proposed physical location of the MBEC. Applicant is encouraged to 
establish a location for the MBEC that is in a building which is 
separate and apart from any of the applicant's existing offices in the 
geographic 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 MBEC in meeting program performance goals (5 points); 
and
    (d) Equipment--How the applicant plans to satisfy the MBEC 
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 funding period, the manner in 
which the applicant relates each performance measure to the financial 
information and market resources available in the geographic service 
area (including existing client list); how the applicant will create 
MBEC 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 MBEC 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 MBEC operations 
within the initial 30-day period. The MBEC 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 MBEC 
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:

[[Page 58559]]

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 MBEC 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 a combination thereof): (1) client 
fees; (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. 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 
MBEC (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 MBEC. 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 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 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. MBEC 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 one application under this 
competitive solicitation. MBDA expects to recommend for funding the 
highest ranking application, 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/
she 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: Funding for the program listed in this 
notice is contingent upon the availability of FY 2009 appropriations. 
MBDA issues this notice subject to the appropriations made available 
under the current continuing resolution, H.R. 2638, ``Consolidated 
Security, Disaster Assistance, and Continuing Appropriations Act, 
2009,'' Public Law 110-329. In no event will MBDA or the Department of 
Commerce be responsible for proposal preparation costs if the MBEC 
Program fails to receive funding or is cancelled because of Department 
of Commerce or MBDA priorities. All funding periods under the award are 
subject to the availability of funds to support the continuation of the 
project. Publication of this notice does not obligate MBDA or the 
Department of Commerce to award any specific project or to obligate any 
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.

[[Page 58560]]

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 February 11, 2008 (73 FR 
7696) 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: October 2, 2008.
Edith J. McCloud,
Associate Director for Management, Minority Business Development 
Agency.
 [FR Doc. E8-23739 Filed 10-6-08; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-21-P