[Federal Register Volume 75, Number 169 (Wednesday, September 1, 2010)]
[Notices]
[Pages 53667-53672]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2010-21905]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

Economic Development Administration

[Docket No.: 1008270400-0400-01]


Space Coast Regional Innovation Cluster Competition

AGENCY: Economic Development Administration (EDA), Department of 
Commerce.

ACTION: Notice and request for applications.

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SUMMARY: This notice announces the upcoming availability of funding for 
the Space Coast Regional Innovation Cluster (RIC) Competition under 
EDA's Economic Adjustment Assistance (EAA) Program. EDA solicits 
competitive applications to catalyze the advancement of Central 
Florida's key regional industry clusters. Additional information can be 
found at the Space Coast RIC Web site at http://www.eda.gov/SpaceCoastRIC. Applicants are advised to read carefully the Federal 
funding opportunity (FFO) announcement for the Space Coast RIC 
Competition. For a copy of the FFO, please see the Web sites listed 
below under ``Electronic Access.''

DATES: To be considered timely, a completed application must be 
transmitted to and time-stamped at http://www.grants.gov no later than 
5 p.m. Eastern Time on October 15, 2010. Any application time-stamped 
after 5 p.m. Eastern Time on October 15, 2010, will be considered non-
responsive and will not be considered for funding. EDA will conduct an 
informational teleconference for prospective Space Coast RIC 
Competition applicants at 2 p.m. Eastern Time on September 8, 2010. For 
more information on the teleconference, please see the section titled 
``Informational Teleconference'' below and section IV.F. of the FFO. 
Winning applicants should expect to receive awards in January 2011, 
subject to the availability of appropriations.
    Application Submission Requirements: Applications must be submitted 
electronically in accordance with the instructions provided at http://www.grants.gov. EDA will not accept facsimile transmissions of 
applications and will accept e-mail transmission only in case of http://www.grants.gov systems issues as provided in section IV.E. of the FFO. 
Applicants may access the application package by following the 
instructions provided at http://www.grants.gov. The preferred 
electronic file format for attachments is portable document format 
(PDF); however, EDA will accept electronic files in Microsoft Word, 
WordPerfect, or Microsoft Excel.
    Applicants are strongly encouraged to start early and not to wait 
until the approaching deadline before logging on and reviewing the 
application instructions at http://www.grants.gov. Applicants must 
register (which can take between three to five business days or as long 
as four weeks if all steps are not completed correctly), designate one 
or more Authorized Organizational Representatives (AOR) and ensure that 
an AOR submits the application, and verify that the submission was 
successful. Applicants should save and print written proof of an 
electronic submission made at http://www.grants.gov. If problems occur, 
the applicant is advised to (a) print any error message received, and 
(b) call the http://www.grants.gov. Contact Center at 1-800-518-4726 
for assistance. The following link lists useful resources: http://www.grants.gov/help/help.jsp. Also, the following link lists frequently 
asked questions (FAQs): http://www.grants.gov/applicants/resources.jsp#faqs. If you do not find an answer to your question under 
the ``Applicant FAQs,'' try consulting the ``Applicant User Guide'' or 
contacting http://www.grants.gov via e-mail at [email protected] or 
telephone at 1-800-518-4726. In addition, please read carefully section 
IV.E. of the FFO to ensure your application is received by EDA and for 
the alternative submission method in case of systems issues at http://www.grants.gov.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For additional information or for a 
paper copy of the FFO, contact Philip Trader by telephone at 404-730-
3017 or via e-mail at [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
    Program Information: The Space Coast RIC Competition is a fast-
track competitive grant process led by EDA, an agency within the U.S. 
Department of Commerce (DOC). The goal of this competition is to 
identify and fund promising job creation and economic development 
initiatives aligned with regional cluster and competitiveness analyses 
to sustain the coordinated economic development and diversification of 
Florida's Space Coast region. Only applications that EDA determines 
have successfully demonstrated this nexus will be considered responsive 
under the Space Coast RIC Competition.
    EDA will coordinate this competition with members of the 
Presidential Taskforce on Space Industry Workforce and Economic 
Development, including the National Aeronautics and Space

[[Page 53668]]

Administration (NASA), the Small Business Administration (SBA), the 
Department of Labor (DOL), and other agencies, to leverage federal 
resources and expertise for the benefit of Space Coast RIC Competition 
winners.
    The culmination of the Space Shuttle Program poses significant 
economic challenges for Florida's Space Coast region. However, the 
region is connected to a tremendous range of economic assets that can 
serve as the foundation for future business activity. The region's 
local economic development organizations, in coordination with Federal, 
State, and local officials; Space Shuttle Program contractors; and 
other key stakeholders, have worked collaboratively to develop 
strategies for retaining aerospace workers in the region. Investing in 
RICs is anticipated to promote a cohesive and reinforcing network of 
economic activity. A strategic plan developed by Enterprise Florida, a 
public-private partnership charged with promoting State-wide economic 
development, identified eight significant economic clusters, five of 
which this competition focuses on as having the potential to sustain 
and spur economic growth in the Space Coast region:
    (1) Aviation and Aerospace,
    (2) Cleantech,
    (3) Homeland Security/Defense,
    (4) Information Technology, and
    (5) Life Sciences.
    Please see Enterprise Florida's full strategy entitled ``Roadmap to 
Florida's Future,'' which is available at http://www.eflorida.com.
    These promising RICs offer tremendous opportunities to not only 
retain the Space Coast region's current workforce, but to accelerate 
the diversification of the regional economy. These industry clusters 
capitalize on the region's powerful and unique economic assets. By 
encouraging applicants to think of creative and workable ways to 
improve the region's economy, the Space Coast RIC Competition is 
designed to catalyze the advancement of Central Florida's key RICs to 
drive economic growth and job creation. This initiative will build on 
and complement existing efforts and ensure collaboration with public, 
private, and nonprofit partners in the region. Applicants are expected 
to leverage regional strengths, capabilities, and competitive 
advantages.
    EDA's EAA Program, under which EDA expects to fund the Space Coast 
RIC Competition, can provide a wide range of technical, planning, and 
innovation infrastructure assistance, including technology transfer and 
commercialization. The EAA Program is designed to respond adaptively to 
pressing economic recovery issues and is well suited to help address 
the challenges faced by Florida's Space Coast region. Assistance can 
support the development of a strategy to alleviate economic dislocation 
or support strategy implementation projects, such as innovation 
infrastructure, entrepreneurial development support investments, and 
revolving loan funds (RLFs). EDA encourages the submission of 
applications focused on the development and implementation of long-
term, regionally based, collaborative economic development strategies. 
In addition, EDA will regard applications for innovation infrastructure 
that are substantively supported by such a strategy as more competitive 
and worthy of funding than applications for infrastructure that are not 
so supported.
    EDA strongly encourages applicants to review the full report of the 
Presidential Task Force on Space Industry Workforce and Economic 
Development, which may be accessed, along with other materials, at 
http://www.nasa.gov/offices/spacecoasttaskforce/home/index.html. More 
information on EDA and its programs may be found at http://www.eda.dov 
and EDA's Space Coast RIC webpage at http://www.eda.gov/SpaceCoastRIC.
    Electronic Access: The FFO for the Space Coast RIC Competition is 
available at http://www.grants.gov and at http://www.eda.gov. EDA has 
created a Web page with additional information on the competition at 
http://www.eda.gov/SpaceCoastRIC.
    Funding Availability: For FY 2011, EDA anticipates allocating 
$35,000,000 for the Space Coast RIC Competition. Funding for this 
competition has been included in the Administration's FY 2011 budget 
request and is contingent upon Congressional approval. Awards under 
this competition will be made pursuant to grant or cooperative 
agreements, and award funds are anticipated to be available until 
expended. EDA expects to award applications that include significant 
public-private capital investment, and individual awards may be as 
large as $10,000,000. Please note that if Congress fails to provide the 
appropriation, EDA will cancel this competition and make no awards.
    Project periods are dependent on the nature of the proposed project 
and the scope of work. For example, the project period for a 
construction project may last for three or more years until 
construction is completed satisfactorily, while a strategic planning or 
technology transfer and commercialization project may allow for one to 
three years for completion of the scope of work. EDA expects that all 
projects will proceed expeditiously.
    The project period and funding amounts for this competition are 
subject to the availability of funds at the time of award, as well as 
to DOC and EDA priorities at the time of award. The DOC and EDA will 
not be held responsible for application preparation costs. Publication 
of this notice does not obligate DOC or EDA to award any specific grant 
or cooperative agreement or to obligate all or any part of available 
funds. Although EDA expects to make grant awards, EDA may choose to 
make awards via cooperative agreements based on the anticipated amount 
of interaction between EDA and the recipient during the project period.
    Statutory Authority: The authority for the EAA Program is section 
209 of PWEDA (42 U.S.C. 3149). EDA's regulations, which will govern an 
award made under the Space Coast RIC Competition, are codified at 13 
CFR chapter III. The regulations and PWEDA are accessible at http://www.eda.gov/InvestmentsGrants/Lawsreg.xml.
    Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance (CFDA) Number: 11.307, 
Economic Adjustment Assistance.
    Applicant Eligibility: Pursuant to PWEDA, eligible applicants for 
and 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; and a public or private non-profit 
organization or association.
    Cost Sharing Requirement: In general, projects may be eligible for 
up to an 80 percent Federal share, but as noted below, the amount of 
local match committed will be a competitive factor. See section 204(a) 
of PWEDA (42 U.S.C. 3144) and 13 CFR 301.4(b)(1). In the case of a(n) 
(i) Indian Tribe, (ii) State (or political subdivision of a State) that 
the Assistant Secretary determines has exhausted its effective taxing 
and borrowing capacity, or (iii) non-profit organization that the 
Assistant Secretary determines has exhausted its effective borrowing 
capacity, the Assistant Secretary has the discretion to establish a 
maximum EDA investment rate of up to 100 percent of the total project 
cost. See sections 204(c)(1) and (2) of PWEDA (42 U.S.C. 3144) and 13 
CFR 301.4(b)(5).

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    In the application review process, EDA will consider the nature of 
the contribution (cash or in-kind) and the amount of the matching share 
funds. EDA will give preference to applications that include cash 
contributions (over in-kind contributions) as the matching share. While 
cash contributions are preferred, in-kind contributions, consisting of 
contributions of space, equipment, or services, or forgiveness or 
assumptions of debt, may provide the required 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, which may be determined by EDA's reasonable 
interpretation of the statute. See 13 CFR 300.3. In addition, the 
applicant must show that the matching share is committed to the project 
for the entire project period, will be available as needed, and is not 
conditioned or encumbered in any way that precludes its use consistent 
with the requirements of EDA investment assistance. See 13 CFR 301.5.
    Nonrelocation: Applicants are advised that should an application be 
selected for award, the recipient will be required to adhere to a 
special award condition relating to EDA's nonrelocation policy as 
follows:

    In signing this award of financial assistance, Recipient(s) 
attests that EDA funding is not intended by the Recipient to assist 
its efforts to induce the relocation of existing jobs that are 
located outside of its jurisdiction to within its jurisdiction in 
competition with other jurisdictions for those same jobs. In the 
event that EDA determines that its assistance was used for those 
purposes, EDA retains the right to pursue appropriate enforcement 
action in accord with the Standard Terms and Conditions of the 
Award, including suspension of disbursements and termination of the 
award for convenience or cause.

    For purposes of ensuring that EDA assistance will not be used to 
merely transfer jobs from one location in the United States to another, 
each applicant must inform EDA of all employers that constitute primary 
beneficiaries of the project assisted by EDA. EDA will consider an 
employer to be a ``primary beneficiary'' if the applicant estimates 
that such employer will create or save 100 or more permanent jobs as a 
result of the investment assistance, provided that such employer also 
is specifically named in the application as benefiting from the 
project, or is or will be located in an EDA-assisted building, port, 
facility, or industrial, commercial, or business park constructed or 
improved in whole or in part with Investment Assistance prior to EDA's 
final disbursement of funds. In smaller communities, EDA may extend 
this policy to the relocation of 50 or more jobs.
    Application Requirements: Please read carefully section IV. of the 
FFO to help ensure your application is complete and timely received by 
EDA. It is the sole responsibility of the applicant to ensure that the 
appropriate application package is complete and transmitted to and 
time-stamped at http://www.grants.gov no later than 5 p.m. Eastern Time 
on October 15, 2010.
    Construction Assistance: An applicant seeking assistance for a 
project with construction components is required to complete and submit 
the following:
     Form ED-900 (Application for Investment Assistance). One 
form per project is required. Please read the paragraphs below under 
``Special Instructions for Completing Form ED-900'' carefully for 
important information on submitting a complete Form ED-900.
     One Form SF-424 (Application for Federal Assistance) from 
each co-applicant, as applicable.
     Form SF-424C (Budget Information--Construction Programs). 
One form per project is required.
     One Form SF-424D (Assurances--Construction Programs) from 
each co-applicant, as applicable.
     One EDA Construction Investments Additional Assurances 
form (Exhibit D of Form ED-900) from each co-applicant, as applicable.
     One Form CD-511 (Certification Regarding Lobbying) from 
each co-applicant, as applicable.
    Non-Construction Assistance: An applicant seeking assistance for a 
project without construction components is required to complete and 
submit the following:
     Form ED-900 (Application for Investment Assistance). One 
form per project is required. Please read the paragraphs below under 
``Special Instructions for Completing Form ED-900'' carefully for 
important information on submitting a complete Form ED-900.
     One Form SF-424 (Application for Federal Assistance) from 
each co-applicant, as applicable.
     Form SF-424A (Budget Information--Non-Construction 
Programs). One form per project is required.
     One Form SF-424B (Assurances--Non-Construction Programs) 
from each co-applicant, as applicable.
     One EDA Capacity Building Investments Additional 
Assurances form (Exhibit D of ED 900) from each co-applicant; as 
applicable.
     One Form CD-511 (Certification Regarding Lobbying) from 
each co-applicant, as applicable.
    In addition, applicants may be required to provide certain lobbying 
information using Form SF-LLL (Disclosure of Lobbying Activities). Form 
ED-900 provides detailed guidance to help the applicant assess whether 
Form SF-LLL is required and how to access it. Please note that, if 
applicable, one Form SF-LLL must be submitted for each co-applicant 
that has used or plans to use non-Federal funds for lobbying in 
connection with this competition. In addition, all non-profit 
applicants and applicants that are first-time recipients of EDA and/or 
DOC funding are required to provide required individual background 
screening forms (Form CD-346) for a complete application, but please 
note that EDA may require other applicants to submit Form CD-346 as 
well to comply with DOC requirements. EDA will inform applicants if 
this is required.
    Special Instructions for Completing Form ED-900: Because of the 
unique nature of this competition, applicants are advised that 
modifications to the general application instructions for Form ED-900 
are required for a complete application.
     The ``Instructions for Electronic and Hardcopy Formats'' 
in Form ED-900 inform applicants to complete the form in Adobe Acrobat 
Reader 8.1.1. or higher. Please note that the technical requirements of 
http://www.grants.gov have changed, and applicants should be careful to 
ensure they have downloaded and installed Adobe Acrobat Reader 8.1.3. 
(instead of 8.1.1.) to complete the application package. Adobe Acrobat 
Reader 8.1.3. may be downloaded at http://www.grants.gov/help/download_software.jsp.
    In addition, there are a number of overall instructions and 
admonitions given in Form ED-900 that Space Coast RIC Competition 
applicants should disregard. Please read the instructions listed below:
     Applicants should disregard the reference to hardcopy 
submission in Form ED-900. As noted in this notice, the only method for 
application submission is through http://www.grants.gov.
     Space Coast RIC Competition applicants also should 
disregard the statement in the ``Note on EDA's Application Process'' 
that advises applicants that EDA will request the listed materials only 
after a project has

[[Page 53670]]

been determined to merit ``further consideration.''
    For the Space Coast RIC Competition, all documentation that Form 
ED-900 advises may be submitted at a later date must be submitted by 
the competition deadline stated above under DATES. These items may be 
uploaded as attachments to the application package. The following list 
further details the required submissions for each type of EDA project.
    For all types of projects, the following are required:
     Projects must be consistent with the region's 
Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy (CEDS) or alternate EDA-
approved strategic planning document. See section A.3. of Form ED-900, 
which requires applicants to identify the relevant plan. If EDA does 
not already have the applicable plan, the applicant may be required to 
provide it. If you have any questions about this requirement, please 
contact the agency contact listed above under FOR FURTHER INFORMATION 
CONTACT and in section VIII. of the FFO.
     Letters of commitment to document non-EDA funding (see 
section A.9. of Form ED-900).
     Form CD-346 (Applicant for Funding Assistance) for each 
key individual of the applicant and co-applicant organization(s), if 
the organization is a non-profit or is a first-time recipient of EDA or 
DOC funding.
    For construction projects only, the following are required:
     Maps of the project site (U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) 
map(s) and Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) floodplain map 
(if applicable)) with project components and beneficiaries noted (see 
section A.2. of Form ED-900).
     Letters of commitment and assurances of compliance 
(Exhibit A to Form ED-900) from private beneficiaries of the proposed 
project (see section B.5. of Form ED-900).
     Comments from the metropolitan area review/clearinghouse 
agency (see section M.1. of Form ED-900).
     A legal opinion and other documentation, as necessary, 
verifying the applicant's answers to questions regarding project 
ownership, operation, maintenance, and management (see section M.6. of 
Form ED-900).
     A legal opinion regarding any use of eminent domain. 
Applicants should contact the agency contact listed above under FOR 
FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT and in section VIII. of the FFO for 
guidance on this requirement.
     Any lease(s) encumbering the project property, if 
applicable. The applicant may provide lease copies.
     A preliminary engineering report (all required elements 
are listed in section M.3. of Form ED-900; special formatting is not 
required).
     An environmental narrative that will enable EDA to comply 
with its National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) responsibilities. An 
environmental narrative outline that details requires components may be 
accessed at http://www.eda.gov/PDF/single_app_narrrative_111008.pdf. 
Applicants should include Appendix A to the environmental narrative 
signed by each co-applicant, as applicable.
     Project sign-off/approval from U.S. Army Corps of 
Engineers and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, if applicable. Note 
the environmental narrative instructions (provided in the link above) 
state that approval comments from regulatory agencies should be 
obtained and submitted as an attachment to the environmental narrative. 
If an applicant has initiated environmental review processes, but is 
unable to receive final approval by the competition deadline, EDA will 
accept a letter from the applicable regulatory agency stating that the 
project has conditional approval. In such circumstances, EDA will 
include any conditions as part of the award. If the application does 
not include these sign-off/approvals and EDA subsequently determines 
that these are required, the applicant will be required to obtain and 
submit them after the competition deadline.
     Copies of any other environmental studies, if available.
     Comments from the State Clearinghouse in compliance with 
Executive Order 12372, ``Intergovernmental Review of Federal 
Programs.'' Detailed information on the State Clearinghouse process can 
be accessed at http://www.dep.state.fl.us/secretary/oip/state_clearinghouse/manual2.htm.
     Documented approval from the State Historic Preservation 
Officer (SHPO), as applicable. Note that if the applicant has initiated 
the consultation process, but the SHPO is unable to give final approval 
by the competition deadline, EDA will accept a letter from the SHPO 
stating that the project has conditional approval or that the applicant 
has satisfactorily initiated the consultation process required under 
section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act. EDA, after 
compliance with requirements for consultation with federally recognized 
Indian Tribes, may require applicants to participate in Tribal 
consultation, as necessary. EDA will include any conditions from the 
conditional approval or consultation process as part of the award.
    For Revolving Loan Fund projects only, the following is required:
     RLF Plan for the RLF's financial management. See EDA's 
regulation at 13 CFR 307.9 for more information on requirements for RLF 
Plans.
    For non-profit applicants only, the following are required:
     Certificate of good standing from the State in which the 
organization is incorporated.
     A copy of the organization's current Articles of 
Incorporation and By-Laws.
     Resolution (or letter) from a general purpose subdivision 
of State government acknowledging that the organization is acting in 
cooperation with officials of that political subdivision.
     Form CD-346 (Applicant for Funding Assistance) for each 
key individual of the non-profit, which includes the executive 
director, project manager, chief financial manager, and any other 
person or entity who has authority to speak for and/or commit the 
organization in the management of an award and/or expend funds.
    Informational Teleconference: EDA will hold an informational 
teleconference for the Space Coast RIC Competition on September 8, 
2010, at 2 p.m. Eastern Time. This teleconference will be used to 
provide general competition and application submission information and 
answer participant questions.
    To ensure that enough incoming lines are available for each caller, 
interested parties planning to participate on the teleconference must 
register no later than 5 p.m. Eastern Time on September 7, 2010. To 
register, please send an e-mail to [email protected] with ``Space 
Coast RIC Competition Teleconference Registration'' in the subject 
line, along with the names and addresses of the potential applicant(s). 
In addition, provide the name and title of the telephone participant 
along with the participant's telephone number and e-mail address. The 
telephone number and pass code for the teleconference will be provided 
upon receipt of registration.
    Please be advised that the informational teleconference will be 
audio-taped and the actual recording (or a transcript) is to be made 
available for the benefit of prospective applicants unable to 
participate. Prospective applicants who choose to participate in the 
teleconference are deemed to consent to the taping. A recording of the 
teleconference may be accessed by calling 1-866-462-8979 and entering 
the pass code 0908. This recording will be available between 6 p.m. 
Eastern Time on September 8, 2010, and 5 p.m.

[[Page 53671]]

Eastern Time on October 16, 2010, the day after the competition 
deadline.
    Intergovernmental Review: Applications for assistance under EDA's 
programs are subject to the State review requirements imposed by 
Executive Order 12372, ``Intergovernmental Review of Federal 
Programs.''
    Evaluation and Selection Procedures:
    1. Responsiveness Review.
    Staff in EDA's Atlanta regional office, which serves the State of 
Florida, will review all applications for responsiveness. Applications 
that are ineligible for EDA funding or that do not contain all forms 
and required documentation listed in section IV. of the FFO may be 
deemed non-responsive and excluded from further consideration. EDA 
expects all applicants to complete and include all required forms and 
documentation. However, EDA reserves the right to forward timely and 
otherwise complete applications that may contain a non-substantive 
technical deficiency to the Interagency Review Panel for further 
consideration. In addition, staff in the Atlanta Regional Office will 
conduct a statutory and regulatory compliance review for each 
responsive application and an initial merit review under the evaluation 
criteria set out below and in section V.A. of the FFO, both of which 
will be provided to the Interagency Review Panel.
    2. Interagency Federal Investment Review Panel.
    Upon completion of the responsiveness review, a Federal interagency 
investment review panel (Interagency Review Panel) that will be 
composed of senior officials from EDA and other federal agencies, which 
shall include NASA, SBA, and DOL, will review and evaluate all 
responsive applications according to the criteria set out below. The 
Interagency Review Panel will either forward its ranked list and any 
comments to the Selecting Official (defined below), or identify any 
deficiencies in the review process and convene a new EDA responsiveness 
review panel in the Atlanta Regional Office to restart the selection 
process.
    3. Selecting Official and Selecting Factors.
    Under this notice, the Regional Director in the Atlanta Regional 
Office is the Selecting Official. The Selecting Official may follow the 
recommendations of the Interagency Review Panel; however, the Selecting 
Official retains the discretion not to make a selection, or to select 
an application out of order for any of the following reasons:
    a. Availability of program funding,
    b. A determination that the application better meets the overall 
objectives of sections 2 and 209 of PWEDA (42 U.S.C. 3121 and 3149),
    c. A determination that the application is more responsive to 
programmatic and/or policy considerations,
    d. The applicant's non-compliance with statutory and regulatory 
requirements, including PWEDA, EDA's regulations set out at 13 CFR 
chapter III, and DOC regulations set out at 15 CFR parts 14 or 24, as 
applicable, or
    e. The applicant's performance under previous federal financial 
assistance awards.
    If the Selecting Official makes a selection out of order, he will 
document the rationale for the decision in writing. The Selecting 
Official will submit his decision to EDA headquarters for review before 
making the final selection.
    Evaluation Criteria: The Interagency Review Panel will evaluate 
applications competitively based on the following criteria, which will 
be weighted equally:
    1. Collaborative Regional Innovation. Initiatives that support the 
development and growth of Central Florida's Aviation and Aerospace, 
Cleantech, Homeland Security/Defense, Information Technology, and Life 
Sciences industry clusters. Initiatives must engage stakeholders; 
facilitate collaboration among urban, suburban and rural (including 
Tribal) areas; provide stability for economic development through long-
term intergovernmental and public/private collaboration; and support 
the growth of existing and emerging industries.
    2. Public/Private Partnerships. Investments that use both public 
and private sector resources and leverage complementary investments by 
other government/public entities and/or non-profits.
    3. Global Competitiveness. Investments that support high-growth 
businesses and innovation-based entrepreneurs to expand and compete in 
global markets.
    4. Environmentally Sustainable Development. Investments that 
encompass best practices in ``environmentally sustainable 
development,'' broadly defined, to include projects that enhance 
environmental quality and develop and implement green products, 
processes, and buildings as part of the green economy.
    5. Economically Distressed and Underserved Communities. Investments 
that strengthen diverse communities that have suffered disproportionate 
economic and job losses and/or are rebuilding to become more 
competitive in the global economy.
    6. Total Job Creation. Investments that demonstrate a clear, 
comprehensive, and effective strategy for the recruitment, training, 
placement, and retention of a skilled workforce.
    7. Implementation Schedule. Investments with demonstrated capacity 
to be implemented quickly and effectively, accelerating positive 
economic impacts.
    8. Feasibility of Budget and Value to the Federal Government. 
Investments that demonstrate a high degree of local commitment through 
the amount and type of match committed. EDA also will evaluate the 
expected benefits of the proposed scope of work in light of the goals 
of this competition and the cost to the Federal Government.
    The Department of Commerce Pre-Award Notification Requirements for 
Grants and Cooperative Agreements: The administrative and national 
policy requirements for all Department of Commerce awards, contained in 
the Department of Commerce Pre-Award Notification Requirements for 
Grants and Cooperative Agreements, published in the Federal Register on 
February 11, 2008 (73 FR 7696), are applicable to this competition.
    Paperwork Reduction Act: This document contains collection-of-
information requirements subject to the Paperwork Reduction Act (PRA). 
The use of Form ED-900 (Application for Investment Assistance) has been 
approved by the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) under the Control 
Number 0610-0094. The use of Forms SF-424 (Application for Financial 
Assistance), SF-424A (Budget Information--Non-Construction Programs), 
SF-424B (Assurances--Non-Construction Programs), SF-424C (Budget 
Information--Construction Programs), SF-424D (Assurances--Construction 
Programs), and Form SF-LLL (Disclosure of Lobbying Activities) has been 
approved under OMB Control Numbers 4040-0004, 0348-0044, 4040-0007, 
4040-0008, 4040-0009, and 0348-0046 respectively. The Form CD-346 
(Applicant for Funding Assistance) is approved under OMB Control Number 
0605-0001. 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 that collection of information displays 
a currently valid OMB Control Number.
    Executive Order 12866 (Regulatory Planning and Review): This notice 
has been determined to be not significant for purposes of Executive 
Order 12866.

[[Page 53672]]

    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 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: August 27, 2010.
Sean Cartwright,
Chief of Staff.
[FR Doc. 2010-21905 Filed 8-31-10; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-24-P