[Federal Register Volume 75, Number 227 (Friday, November 26, 2010)]
[Notices]
[Pages 72802-72807]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2010-29744]


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

DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

Economic Development Administration

[Docket No.: 10115567-0567-01]


Solicitation of Applications for the Planning and Local Technical 
Assistance Programs

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

ACTION: Notice and request for applications.

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

SUMMARY: Pursuant to the Public Works and Economic Development Act of 
1965, as amended, EDA announces general policies and application 
procedures for grant-based investments under the Planning and Local 
Technical Assistance Programs. These programs will help communities 
develop the planning and technical expertise to support communities and 
regions in their comprehensive, entrepreneurial, and innovation-based 
economic development efforts. Resulting in increased private investment 
and higher-skill, higher-wage jobs in areas experiencing substantial 
and persistent economic distress, these programs are designed to 
enhance the competitiveness of regions. Applicants are advised to read 
carefully the federal funding opportunity (FFO) announcement for this 
notice and request for applications. For a copy of the FFO 
announcement, please see the Web sites listed below under ``Electronic 
Access.''

DATES: Applications are accepted on a continuing basis and processed as 
received. As described below under ``APPLICATION SUBMISSION 
REQUIREMENTS'' and in section V of the FFO announcement, applications 
may be submitted electronically via http://www.grants.gov. Applications 
also may be delivered via hand delivery, postal mail or courier service 
in paper (hard copy) format to the applicable EDA regional office 
listed below under ``Contact Information for EDA's Regional Offices.''
    Application Submission Requirements: The applicant may obtain the 
application package electronically at http://www.grants.gov. All 
components of the application package may be accessed and downloaded 
(in a screen-fillable format) at http://www.grants.gov/applicants/apply_for_grants.jsp. 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. 
The applicant must complete the http://www.grants.gov registration 
process in order to submit an application through http://www.grants.gov; however, please note that registration is not required 
for an applicant to access, view, or download the application.
    Alternatively, an applicant eligible for assistance under this 
notice may request a paper (hard copy) application package by 
contacting the applicable EDA regional office listed below under 
``Contact Information for EDA's Regional Offices.''
    Under this notice, EDA's regional offices will accept applications 
on an ongoing basis. An application received after the date of this 
notice will be processed in accordance with the requirements set forth 
herein until the next annual FFO for EDA's Planning and Local Technical 
Assistance Programs is posted on http://www.grants.gov and the related 
notice and request for applications is published in the Federal 
Register. The content of applications is the same for paper submissions 
as it is for electronic submissions. EDA will not accept facsimile or 
e-mail transmissions of applications.
    Please note that all applicants, whether choosing to apply 
electronically via http://www.grants.gov or submit a paper (hardcopy) 
application, must apply for and maintain a current Central Contractor 
Registration (CCR) database registration. See section VII.C of the FFO 
announcement.
    Electronic Submissions: Please read carefully section V.D.1 of the 
FFO to ensure your application is received by EDA and for specific 
http://www.grants.gov submission procedures. EDA strongly encourages 
electronic submissions of applications through http://www.grants.gov. 
Applications must be successfully validated and time-stamped by http://www.grants.gov. In order to submit an application through http://www.grants.gov, an applicant first must register for a http://www.grants.gov user ID and password. This process can take between 
three to five business days or as long as four weeks if all steps are 
not completed correctly. EDA strongly recommends that applicants 
register, review the application instructions, and apply as early as 
possible. Information about the registration process can be found at 
http://grants.gov/applicants/organization_registration.jsp.
    Applicants must register as organizations, not as individuals. As 
part of the registration process, you will register at least one 
Authorized Organizational Representative (AOR) for

[[Page 72803]]

your organization. AORs registered at http://www.grants.gov are the 
only officials with the authority to submit applications at http://www.grants.gov, so please ensure that your organization's application 
is submitted by an AOR. If the application is submitted by anyone other 
than your organization's AOR, it will be rejected by the http://www.grants.gov system and cannot be considered by EDA. Note that a 
given organization may designate multiple individuals as AORs for 
http://www.grants.gov purposes.
    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 (1) print any error message received, and (2) 
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.
    Paper Submissions: An applicant may submit a completed paper (hard 
copy) application via hand delivery, postal mail or courier service to 
the applicable regional office listed below under ``Contact Information 
for EDA's Regional Offices.''
    Paper (hard copy) submissions must include one original and two 
copies of the complete application package submitted via hand delivery, 
postal mail or courier service to the applicable regional office, 
unless otherwise directed by EDA staff. DOC mail security measures may 
delay receipt of United States Postal Service mail for up to two weeks. 
Therefore, applicants that choose to submit paper submissions are 
advised to use guaranteed overnight delivery services.
    Contact Information for EDA's Regional Offices:
    Applicants in Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Mississippi, 
North Carolina, South Carolina, and Tennessee, may submit paper 
submissions to: Economic Development Administration, Atlanta Regional 
Office, 401 West Peachtree Street, NW., Suite 1820, Atlanta, Georgia 
30308, Telephone: (404) 730-3002, Fax: (404) 730-3025.
    Applicants in Arkansas, Louisiana, New Mexico, Oklahoma, and Texas, 
may submit paper submissions to: Economic Development Administration, 
Austin Regional Office, 504 Lavaca, Suite 1100, Austin, Texas 78701-
2858, Telephone: (512) 381-8144, Fax: (512) 381-8177.
    Applicants in Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Minnesota, Ohio, 
Wisconsin, and Muscatine and Scott counties, Iowa, may submit paper 
submissions to: Economic Development Administration, Chicago Regional 
Office, 111 North Canal Street, Suite 855, Chicago, Illinois 60606, 
Telephone: (312) 353-7706, Fax: (312) 353-8575.
    Applicants in Colorado, Iowa (excluding Muscatine and Scott 
counties), Kansas, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, North Dakota, South 
Dakota, Utah, and Wyoming, may submit paper submissions to: Economic 
Development Administration, Denver Regional Office, 410 17th Street, 
Suite 250, Denver, Colorado 80202, Telephone: (303) 844-4714, Fax: 
(303) 844-3968.
    Applicants in Connecticut, Delaware, District of Columbia, Maine, 
Maryland, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, 
Pennsylvania, Puerto Rico, Rhode Island, Vermont, U.S. Virgin Islands, 
Virginia, and West Virginia, may submit paper submissions to: Economic 
Development Administration, Philadelphia Regional Office, Curtis 
Center, 601 Walnut Street, Suite 140 South, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 
19106, Telephone: (215) 597-4603, Fax: (215) 597-1063.
    Applicants in Alaska, American Samoa, Arizona, California, Guam, 
Hawaii, Idaho, the Republic of Marshall Islands, the Federated States 
of Micronesia, Nevada, the Commonwealth of Northern Marianas Islands, 
Oregon, Republic of Palau, and Washington, may submit paper submissions 
to: Economic Development Administration, Seattle Regional Office, 
Jackson Federal Building, Room 1890, 915 Second Avenue, Seattle, 
Washington 98174, Telephone: (206) 220-7660, Fax: (206) 220-7669.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For additional information or for a 
paper copy of the FFO announcement, contact the appropriate EDA 
regional office listed above.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 
    Program Information: EDA's mission is to lead the Federal economic 
development agenda by promoting innovation and competitiveness, 
preparing American regions for growth and success in the worldwide 
economy. In implementing this mission pursuant to the Public Works and 
Economic Development Act of 1965, as amended (42 U.S.C. 3121 et seq.) 
(PWEDA), EDA advances economic growth by assisting communities and 
regions experiencing chronic high unemployment and low per capita 
income to create an environment that fosters innovation, promotes 
entrepreneurship, and attracts increased private capital investment.
    Under this notice and request for applications, EDA solicits 
applications for the Planning and Local Technical Assistance Programs 
authorized under PWEDA. EDA published a separate FFO dated October 14, 
2010, for its Public Works, Economic Adjustment Assistance, and Global 
Climate Change Mitigation Incentive Fund (GCCMIF) Programs, which can 
be accessed on EDA's Web site at http://www.eda.gov/InvestmentsGrants/FFON.xml. EDA's Web site at http://www.eda.gov provides additional 
information on EDA and its programs.
    EDA expects to post separate FFO announcements at http://www.grants.gov and at http://www.eda.gov that will set forth the 
specific funding priorities, application and selection processes, time 
frames, and evaluation criteria for the FY 2011 University Center 
Economic Development Program competition and for certain National 
Technical Assistance and Research and Evaluation projects to be funded 
with FY 2011 appropriations.
    Electronic Access: The FFO announcement for the FY 2011 competitive 
solicitation for EDA's Planning and Local Technical Assistance Programs 
is available at http://www.grants.gov and at http://www.eda.gov.
    Funding Availability: As of November 26, 2010, the full amount of 
FY 2011 appropriations is not available and EDA is operating under the 
authority of the FY 2011 Continuing Resolution (Pub. L. No. 111-242, 
124 Stat. 2607, September 30, 2010). The FY 2010 median award amounts 
are provided only for your information. The continuing resolution 
allocates funding based on FY 2010 funding levels, but on a pro-rated 
basis, until the enactment of the FY 2011 appropriations. Assuming EDA 
receives FY 2011 appropriations of approximately the same level as in 
FY 2010, the following information may prove useful for planning 
purposes.
    In FY 2010, funding appropriated under the Consolidated 
Appropriations Act, 2010 (Pub. L. 111-117, 123 Stat. 3034 at 3114 
(2009)) made $255,000,000 available for the economic development 
assistance programs authorized under PWEDA: Public Works and Economic 
Development Facilities Program; Economic Adjustment Assistance; GCCMIF; 
Planning; Local Technical Assistance; University Center Economic

[[Page 72804]]

Development Program; and Research and National Technical Assistance. 
EDA expects funding levels for FY 2011 to be similar to FY 2010; 
however the final amounts will not be known until Congress passes the 
FY 2011 appropriations. When the full FY 2011 appropriations become 
available, EDA will publish a Federal Register notice to announce the 
final FY 2011 funding levels for the Planning and Local Technical 
Assistance Programs. The funding periods and funding amounts referenced 
in this notice are subject to the availability of funds at the time of 
award, as well as to Department of Commerce (DOC) and EDA priorities at 
the time of award. DOC and EDA will not be held responsible for 
application preparation and submission 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.
    The following subsections provide more information on the two 
programs to which this notice applies. As noted above, specific FY 2011 
funding amounts for each program will be announced separately upon 
availability. Please note that the approximations provided below are 
for informational purposes only and are not intended to restrict future 
awards.
    1. Planning Program: (CFDA No. 11.302; 13 CFR part 303):
    EDA's Planning Program is one of six economic development 
assistance programs the agency operates under PWEDA. Under this 
program, EDA provides assistance to eligible recipients to create 
regional economic development plans in order to stimulate and guide the 
economic development efforts of a community or region. As part of this 
program, EDA supports Partnership Planning investments to facilitate 
the development, implementation, revision, or replacement of 
comprehensive economic development strategies (CEDS). EDA provides 
Partnership Planning grants to the designated planning organization 
(e.g., District Organization) serving EDA-designated Economic 
Development Districts (as defined in 13 CFR 300.3) throughout the 
Nation. These planning organizations are typically recognized by the 
State in which they reside as multi-jurisdictional councils of 
governments, regional commissions, or planning and development centers. 
Information on the Economic Development Districts may be found on EDA's 
Web site at http://www.eda.gov/PDF/EDD%20List_030410.pdf. Planning 
Partnership grants enable planning organizations to manage and 
coordinate the development and implementation of CEDS to address the 
unique needs of their respective regions. In addition, EDA provides 
Partnership Planning grants to Indian Tribes to help organize and 
assist with the implementation of economic development activities 
within their areas. The majority of funding under the Planning Program 
is for Partnership Planning grants for Indian Tribes and EDA-designated 
Economic Development Districts.
    The Planning Program also helps support planning organizations, 
including District Organizations and Indian Tribes, with Short-Term 
Planning and State Planning investments designed to create and retain 
higher-skill, higher-wage jobs, particularly for the unemployed and 
underemployed in the Nation's most economically distressed regions. For 
example, EDA might provide Short-Term Planning funding to a coalition 
of Tribal and regional organizations to plan a coordinated response to 
the sudden loss of a major employer in the affected area(s).
    To provide investment assistance for CEDS and State plans as well 
as for Short-Term Planning activities, EDA allocated $31,000,000 in FY 
2010 for its Planning Program. Of this amount, $28,597,033 was 
allocated for Partnership Planning awards that support the existing 
network of Economic Development Districts and $2,402,967 for Short-Term 
Planning projects. The median annual grant amount for a Partnership 
Planning award in FY 2010 was $61,000. The median annual grant amount 
for a Short-Term Planning award in FY 2010 was $65,000.
    As in FY 2010, EDA expects that the majority of FY 2011 Planning 
Program funds will be used to provide support to existing planning 
organizations, including District Organizations and Indian Tribes. 
Specifically, EDA anticipates funding 375 District Organizations (in 
connection with their respective Economic Development Districts) and 58 
Indian Tribes. Some regional offices may offer three-year funding to 
their planning organizations, while others may offer annually funding.
    2. Local Technical Assistance (CFDA No. 11.303; 13 CFR part 306, 
subpart A):
    The Local Technical Assistance Program helps eligible recipients 
fill the knowledge and information gaps that may prevent leaders in the 
public and nonprofit sectors in economically distressed regions from 
making optimal decisions on local economic development issues. For 
example, EDA might provide funds to help a city prepare a feasibility 
study regarding the use of an abandoned manufacturing facility for an 
activity that advances local economic development.
    In FY 2010, EDA allocated $1,362,592 to the Local Technical 
Assistance Program, thereby allocating approximately $227,099 to each 
of EDA's six regional offices. The median size of a Local Technical 
Assistance grant made in FY 2010 was $50,000.
    Funding Instrument and Project Periods: Subject to the availability 
of funds, EDA may enter into a grant with an eligible applicant in 
order to provide funding for eligible activities under this notice. 
Project periods are dependent on the project scope of work, the nature 
of the project and the EDA program under which the grant is awarded. In 
general, a Planning or Local Technical Assistance investment may allow 
for one to three years for completion of the scope of work. EDA expects 
that all projects will proceed expeditiously and encourages investments 
with demonstrated capacity to be implemented quickly and effectively, 
accelerating positive economic impacts.
    Statutory Authorities: The statutory authorities for the Planning 
and Local Technical Assistance Programs are sections 203 (42 U.S.C. 
3143) and 207 (42 U.S.C. 3147) of PWEDA, respectively. Unless otherwise 
provided in this notice, applicant eligibility, program objectives and 
priorities, application procedures, evaluation criteria, selection 
procedures, and other requirements for the Planning and Local Technical 
Assistance Programs are set forth in EDA's regulations (codified at 13 
CFR chapter III), and the application must comply with these 
requirements. EDA's regulations and PWEDA are available at http://www.eda.gov/InvestmentsGrants/Lawsreg.xml.
    Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance (CFDA) Numbers: 11.302, 
Economic Development--Support for Planning Organizations; 11.303, 
Economic Development--Technical Assistance.
    Applicant Eligibility: Pursuant to PWEDA, eligible applicants for 
and eligible recipients of EDA investment assistance include: (1) 
District Organizations; (2) Indian Tribes or a consortium of Indian 
Tribes; (3) States, cities or other political subdivisions of a State, 
including special purpose units of a State or local government engaged 
in economic or infrastructure development activities, or a consortium 
of political subdivisions; (4) institutions of higher education or a 
consortium of institutions of higher education; or (5) public or 
private non-profit

[[Page 72805]]

organizations or associations acting in cooperation with officials of a 
political subdivision of a State. See section 3 of PWEDA (42 U.S.C. 
3122) and 13 CFR 300.3.
    EDA is not authorized to provide grants directly to individuals or 
to for-profit entities seeking to start or expand a private business. 
Such requests may be referred to State or local agencies, or to non-
profit economic development organizations serving the region in which 
the project will be located.
    Economic Distress Criteria: Awards under EDA's Planning and Local 
Technical Assistance Programs should be designed to have positive 
economic development impacts within distressed regions and help 
communities ensure resilient economies. Applicants are responsible for 
defining the region that the project will assist by providing 
supporting statistics and other information, as appropriate. Planning 
awards under section 203 of PWEDA (42 U.S.C. 3143) and 13 CFR part 303 
are designed to support planning organizations in developing, 
implementing, revising or replacing CEDS, and help to create and retain 
higher-skill, higher-wage jobs, particularly for the unemployed and 
underemployed in the Nation's most economically distressed regions. See 
also 13 CFR 303.1. Local Technical Assistance awards may help eligible 
recipients determine the causes of excessive unemployment, 
underemployment, low per capita income or outmigration; formulate and 
implement economic development programs to increase local or regional 
capacity; or conduct project planning and feasibility studies. See also 
13 CFR 306.1. Although meeting specific distress criteria is not a 
prerequisite for funding under the two programs, the economic distress 
level of the region impacted by a project serves as the basis for 
establishing the EDA share of the total cost of a project.
    Cost Sharing or Matching Share Requirement: Generally, the amount 
of the EDA grant may not exceed 50 percent of the total cost of the 
project. Projects may receive an additional amount that shall not 
exceed 30 percent, based on the relative needs of the region in which 
the project will be located, as determined by EDA. See section 204(a) 
of PWEDA (42 U.S.C. 3144) and 13 CFR 301.4(b)(1). For planning 
assistance, the minimum EDA investment rate for projects under 13 CFR 
part 303 is 50 percent, and the maximum allowable EDA investment rate 
may not exceed 80 percent. See 13 CFR 301.4(b)(3). As specified in 
section 204(c)(3) of PWEDA (42 U.S.C. 3144) for projects under 13 CFR 
part 306, the Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Economic Development 
(Assistant Secretary) has the discretion to establish a maximum EDA 
investment rate of up to 100 percent where the project (1) merits, and 
is not otherwise feasible without, an increase to the EDA investment 
rate; or (2) will be of no or only incidental benefit to the recipient. 
See 13 CFR 301.4(b)(4).
    The Assistant Secretary has the discretion to establish a maximum 
EDA investment rate of up to 100 percent of the total project cost for 
EDA investment assistance awarded to a(n): (1) Indian Tribe, (2) State 
(or political subdivision of a State) that the Assistant Secretary 
determines has exhausted its effective taxing and borrowing capacity, 
or (3) non-profit organization that the Assistant Secretary determines 
has exhausted its effective borrowing capacity. See sections 204(c)(1) 
and (2) of PWEDA (42 U.S.C. 3144) and 13 CFR 301.4(b)(5). Potential 
applicants should contact the appropriate EDA regional office to make 
these determinations.
    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 
total project costs. 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. The applicant must 
show that the matching share is committed to the project for the full 
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.
    Restrictions on the Use of EDA Funds: Specific regulations, 
administrative requirements, and cost principles govern the use of EDA 
funds. The general and administrative requirements for EDA awards are 
set forth in 13 CFR parts 300-302. Specific application and award 
requirements for the Planning and Local Technical Assistance Programs 
are provided in 13 CFR part 303 and subpart A of 13 CFR part 306, 
respectively. EDA funds may not be used directly or indirectly to 
reimburse any attorneys' or consultants' fees incurred in connection 
with obtaining investment assistance pursuant to this notice. See 13 
CFR 302.10.
    The uniform administrative requirements for DOC grants and 
cooperative agreements are codified at 15 CFR parts 14 and 24, as 
applicable. For EDA's purposes, 15 CFR part 14 governs awards made to 
institutions of higher education and non-profit organizations, and 15 
CFR part 24 governs awards made to States and local governments. Funds 
awarded cannot necessarily pay for all the costs that a recipient may 
incur in the course of carrying out a project. See section III.D of the 
FFO announcement for more information regarding allowable costs under 
an award and EDA's nonrelocation policy. Applicable administrative 
requirements and Federal cost principles are incorporated by reference 
into the terms and conditions of each EDA award.
    Application Package Required Forms: The applicant is advised to 
read carefully the instructions contained in this FFO and in all forms 
contained in the application package. It is the sole responsibility of 
the applicant to ensure that a complete application package is received 
by EDA.
    The applicant must complete and submit the Application for 
Investment Assistance (Form ED-900), and additional Federal grant 
assistance forms listed below as part of a complete application 
package. The following forms are required for a complete application 
package:
    1. Form ED-900 (Application for Investment Assistance). One form 
per project is required.
    2. One Form SF-424 (Application for Federal Assistance) from each 
co-applicant, as applicable.
    3. Form SF-424A (Budget Information--Non-Construction Programs). 
One form per project is required.
    4. One Form SF-424B (Assurances--Non-Construction Programs) from 
each co-applicant, as applicable.
    5. 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) and 
to submit to a background screening using Form CD-346. Form ED-900 
provides detailed guidance to help the applicant assess whether Form 
SF-LLL

[[Page 72806]]

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 
notice and request for applications. All key individuals of non-profit 
applicants and applicants that are first-time recipients of EDA 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 to 
comply with DOC requirements. EDA will inform applicants if this is 
required. Form CD-346 may be accessed at http://ocio.os.doc.gov/s/groups/public/@doc/@os/@ocio/@oitpp/documents/content/dev01_002454.pdf.
    Instructions for Completing Form ED-900: Form ED-900 is divided 
into lettered sections that correspond to specific EDA program 
components that address EDA's statutory and regulatory requirements. 
The form details the sections and exhibits that must be completed based 
on program type. Because this notice seeks Planning and Local Technical 
Assistance applications only, an applicant needs to complete those 
sections of Form ED-900 identified in the table below. Complete 
instructions are included within Form ED-900.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                EDA Program                                     Required Form ED-900 Sections
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Partnership Planning.......................  Complete Sections A, C, E, and F and Exhibit C.
Short-Term Planning........................  Complete Sections A, C, E, and G and Exhibit C.
State Planning.............................  Complete Sections A, C, E, G, and H and Exhibit C.
Local Technical Assistance.................  Complete Sections A, C, E, and I and Exhibit C.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    To limit the burden on the applicant, EDA may request additional 
documentation only if EDA determines that the applicant's project 
merits further consideration. The Form ED-900 provides detailed 
guidance on documentation, information, and other materials that will 
be requested if, and only if, EDA selects the project for further 
consideration. EDA will timely inform the applicant if its application 
has been selected for further consideration or if the application has 
not been selected for funding.
    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: Application packages submitted 
under this notice for the Short-Term Planning and Local Technical 
Assistance Programs will be circulated by a project officer within the 
applicable EDA regional office for review. After the necessary input 
and information are obtained, the application is considered by the 
regional office's Investment Review Committee (IRC), which is comprised 
of at least three members of regional office staff. The IRC discusses 
the application (1) using the evaluation criteria set out below under 
``Evaluation Criteria'' and in section IV.A of the FFO announcement; 
and (2) to determine if it meets the program-specific award and 
application requirements provided in 13 CFR 303.3 for Planning awards 
and 13 CFR 306.2 for Local Technical Assistance awards, as applicable.
    Evaluation Criteria: For EDA's discretionary grant programs under 
this notice, namely, Short-Term Planning and Local Technical 
Assistance, EDA will evaluate applications based on their ability to 
satisfy the investment policy guidelines identified in this section, 
with each criterion assigned the weight indicated. These evaluation 
criteria may be found on EDA's Web site at http://www.eda.gov/InvestmentsGrants/InvestmentPriorities.xml, and applicants are 
encouraged to review these priorities as they develop their projects.
    1. National Strategic Priorities (30%)
    EDA seeks to fund applications that encourage job growth and 
business expansion, as well as promoting one or more of the following 
initiatives:
     Technology-led economic development,
     Support to small- and medium-sized businesses,
     Global competitiveness and innovation,
     Responses to economic dislocation because of auto industry 
restructuring or natural disasters,
     Commercialization of research, and/or
     Environmentally sustainable development.
    2. Economically Distressed and Underserved Communities (25%)
    EDA seeks to fund applications that strengthen communities that 
have suffered disproportionate economic and job losses or long-term 
severe economic distress, and/or are rebuilding to become more 
competitive in the global economy.
    3. Return on Investment (25%)
    EDA seeks to fund applications that demonstrate a high return on 
EDA's investment by demonstrating that the project will be likely to 
stimulate economic development by demonstrating a high probability of 
leading to actionable projects or identifying specific benchmarks that 
will measure progress towards outputs.
    4. Collaborative Regional Innovation (10%)
    EDA seeks to fund applications that support the development and 
growth of innovation clusters based on existing regional competitive 
strengths, which may be demonstrated by the extent to which an 
investment will:
     Promote collaboration among multi-jurisdictional 
leadership,
     Link and leverage regional assets, and
     Implement or build upon effective planning efforts.
    5. Public/Private Partnerships (10%)
    EDA seeks to fund applications that use public and private sector 
resources, and/or leverage complementary investments by other 
government/public entities and/or non-profits.
    Selection Factors: The IRC recommends to the Regional Director 
whether an application merits further consideration, documenting its 
recommendation. For quality control assurance, EDA Headquarters reviews 
the IRC's analysis of the project's ability to fulfill the investment 
policy guidelines set out above under ``Evaluation Criteria.'' After 
receiving quality control clearance, the Selecting Official, who is the 
Regional Director, considers the evaluations provided by the IRC and 
also takes into account the degree to which the applications are 
responsive to one or more of the selection factors provided below when 
deciding which applications to fund.
    1. A determination that the application better meets the overall

[[Page 72807]]

objectives of section 2 of PWEDA (42 U.S.C. 3121);
    2. Relative economic distress of the applicant;
    3. Financial or management capability of the applicant;
    4. Availability of program funding;
    5. Geographic balance in distribution of program funds;
    6. Balance of diverse project types in the distribution of program 
funds;
    7. Balanced funding for a diverse group of organizations, to 
include smaller and rural organizations, which may form part of a 
broader consortium to serve diverse populations and areas within the 
regional office's territory;
    8. The applicant's performance under previous Federal financial 
assistance awards;
    9. A determination that a project is more likely to create jobs in 
a shorter timeframe; or
    10. Whether the project will enable BRAC-impacted communities to 
transition from a military to civilian economy and otherwise respond to 
economic impacts.
    The Regional Director's final decision must be consistent with 
EDA's and the U.S. Department of Commerce's policies. Any time the 
Regional Director makes a selection that differs from the IRC's 
recommendations, the Regional Director will document the rationale for 
the decision in writing.
    Notification to Applicants: Applicants for Short-Term Planning 
assistance or Local Technical Assistance will be notified if their 
applications are recommended for funding. For Economic Development 
District Partnership Planning applicants, EDA will continue to handle 
the award process in accord with current practice. Potential Economic 
Development District Partnership Planning applicants should contact the 
applicable EDA regional office for instructions.
    If an application is selected for funding and the applicant 
successfully completes all due diligence requirements, the EDA Grants 
Officer will issue the grant award (Form CD-450), which is the 
authorizing financial assistance award document. By signing Form CD-
450, the recipient agrees to comply with all award provisions. EDA will 
provide Form CD-450 by mail or overnight delivery to the appropriate 
business office of the recipient's organization. The recipient must 
sign and return the Form CD-450 without modification within 30 days of 
receipt.
    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 notice.
    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.
    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: November 19, 2010.
Brian P. McGowan,
Deputy Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Economic Development.
[FR Doc. 2010-29744 Filed 11-24-10; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-24-P