[Federal Register Volume 88, Number 159 (Friday, August 18, 2023)]
[Notices]
[Pages 56593-56594]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2023-17837]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

Minority Business Development Agency

[Doc. No. 230814-0194]


Notice of Solicitation for the Minority Business Enterprises 
Advisory Council for the Minority Business Development Agency

AGENCY: Minority Business Development Agency (MBDA), Department of 
Commerce.

ACTION: Notice to solicit nominees.

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SUMMARY: The U.S. Department of Commerce, Minority Business Development 
Agency (MBDA) is seeking nominations for the Minority Business 
Enterprises Advisory Council (MBEAC) pursuant to the authority of the 
Minority Business Development Act of 2021 and the Federal Advisory 
Committee Act (FACA), as amended. The Council will advise the Under 
Secretary of Commerce for Minority Business Development on various 
topics impacting socially and economically disadvantaged businesses. 
MBDA is looking to appoint nine (9) members of the initial term of the 
Council. These individuals shall be from the private sector with a 
balanced and broad range of interests regarding the social and economic 
life of minority business concerns. The private sector members may 
include individuals from academia and think tanks, companies, chambers 
of commerce, financial entities, labor and trade associations, non-
profit organizations, and stakeholders involved in socially and 
economically disadvantaged business concerns.

DATES: MBDA will consider applications received by September 18, 2023, 
for potential selection to the inaugural MBEAC. Applications received 
after this date may be considered by MBDA as and when vacancies become 
available.

ADDRESSES: Individuals who are interested in being considered for the 
MBEAC must submit a resume and cover letter detailing their relevant 
experience to [email protected]. If electronic submission is not 
feasible, submissions may be mailed to: Minority Business Development 
Agency (MBDA), U.S. Department of Commerce, Attn: Cara M. Morris, 1401 
Constitution Ave., NW, Room 5075, Washington, DC 20230.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Cara M. Morris, Director, Business 
Center Excellence & Program Support, Minority Business Development 
Agency, U.S. Department of Commerce, Email: [email protected], 202-482-
2332.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: On November 15, 2021, the Minority Business 
Development Act of 2021 (Pub. L. 117-58), made permanent the Minority 
Business Development Agency (MBDA) and expanded MBDA's roles and 
authorities. Among other things, the Act mandated the creation of the 
Minority Business Enterprises Advisory Council (MBEAC or ``the 
Council'').
    The objective of the MBEAC is to provide group advice to the Under 
Secretary of Commerce for Minority Business Development on matters 
pertaining to the growth and global competitiveness of the nation's 9.7 
million minority business enterprises (MBEs), such as identifying 
barriers to entrepreneurship and business growth; providing insight 
related to the economic conditions of socially or economically 
disadvantaged businesses; proposing opportunities for collaboration on 
and coordination of policies relating to entrepreneurship and business 
growth for socially and economically disadvantaged businesses; and 
advising on measures to better achieve MBDA's objectives. The MBEAC was 
established in accordance with the Federal Advisory Committee Act, as 
amended (FACA), 5 U.S.C. chapter 10. See the MBEAC Charter, available 
at: https://gsa-geo.my.salesforce.com/sfc/p/#t0000000Gyj0/a/t0000003Gceu/9JxK.9.iqBesjToAwbbYyuYpJviXxxZC3ELQmn5Mts4.
    The MBDA is a dynamic organization that needs industry leaders' 
input with a wide range of experience and insight. Accordingly, the 
MBDA is soliciting applications from private sector representatives 
with a balanced and broad range of interests regarding the social and 
economic life of Minority Business Enterprises (MBEs) to serve as 
advisory committee members of the MBEAC. Individuals may self-nominate 
or be nominated by someone else.
    The Council will consist of nine members from the private sector as 
well as at least ten members from federal agencies that support or 
otherwise have duties related to business formation, including duties 
relating to labor development, monetary policy, national security, 
energy, agriculture, transportation, and housing. The Council will meet 
2-3 times per year and members shall serve for a term of 2 years. 
Members can be reappointed after the 2-year term expires. MBDA is 
soliciting two types of private sector members. ``Representative 
members'' are appointed to offer insight and perspectives of clearly 
identified sectors and stakeholder groups. ``Special Government 
Employee (SGE) members'' are appointed for their individual expertise 
and experience. Special Government Employees are subject to conflict-
of-interest laws and regulations, including (but not limited to) the 
obligation to annually file a New Entrant Confidential Financial 
Disclosure Report (OGE Form 450) and complete ethics training. 
Representative members are not subject to these requirements. Private 
sector members will be individually advised of the capacity in which 
they will serve through their appointment letters. Please also note 
that members of the Council shall not be compensated for service on the 
Council but may be allowed travel expenses, including per diem in lieu 
of subsistence, in accordance with subchapter I of chapter 57 of title 
5, United States Code.

Council Size and Terms

    The MBEAC will be comprised of at least 19 members (9 private 
sector members and at least 10 federal members). The newly appointed 
members will serve a two-year term and may be reappointed. If a member 
vacates the MBEAC before the end of the two-year term, a replacement 
member may be appointed to fill the unexpired term.
    The membership of the Council should include expertise and 
viewpoints that reflect the breadth of the Council's responsibilities. 
MBDA is mindful that committees work best when there is a mix of 
viewpoints brought about through diverse experiences in different areas 
of the committee's responsibility by members of diverse races, genders, 
business and industry sectors, and cultural backgrounds. This Notice of 
Solicitation will be widely distributed to encourage a diverse 
applicant pool.

Qualifications and Selection Criteria

    1. Expertise and Experience: Members should possess significant 
expertise and experience in areas relevant to the growth and 
development of MBEs and the business ecosystem, such as business 
development, entrepreneurship, finance, policy

[[Page 56594]]

advocacy, or related fields. Members should have insights into barriers 
to entrepreneurship and business growth and ways to overcome those 
barriers. Relevant fields include, but are not limited to, access to 
traditional and alternative capital, public and private sector 
procurement, and global markets. Members should also have the ability 
to provide insight to relevant data, research, and policy alternatives. 
The selection process will prioritize relevant individuals who have 
demonstrated a strong track record of success in their respective 
fields.
    2. Commitment to Minority Business Development: Members should have 
a demonstrated commitment to advancing the social and economic life of 
MBEs. This can be evidenced through past involvement in initiatives, 
projects, or policy advocacy aimed at supporting and empowering MBEs.
    3. Sector Representation: Private Sector members will be selected 
from diverse backgrounds, including academia and think tanks, companies 
of varying sizes, chambers of commerce, financial entities, labor and 
trade associations, non-profit organizations, and stakeholders involved 
in MBE growth and development.
    4. Geographic Representation: MBDA will consider geographic 
diversity in selecting members to ensure regional representation and 
capture expertise regarding the unique challenges and opportunities 
faced by MBEs in different parts of the country.
    5. Collaborative and Teamwork Skills: Members should demonstrate 
the ability to work collaboratively in a team environment. This 
includes effective communication, problem-solving, and the ability to 
build consensus among diverse stakeholders.
    6. Ability to Serve: Members must be able and willing to dedicate 
the necessary time and effort to fulfill their responsibilities 
effectively. They should have the availability to attend meetings, 
actively participate in Council activities, and contribute 
constructively to discussions and decision-making processes.
    7. Independence and Impartiality: Applicants for Special Government 
Employee (SGE) membership positions must be impartial and independent, 
capable of providing objective advice and guidance must not have 
conflicts of interest that could compromise their ability to act in the 
best interest of MBEs.

Privacy Act Statement

    The collection, maintenance, and disclosure of this information is 
governed by the Privacy Act of 1974 (5 U.S.C. 552a). The Department of 
Commerce is authorized to collect this information pursuant to 
authorities that include, but are not limited to, title V, sections 
100501 through 100503 of the Minority Business Development Act of 2021, 
Public Law 117-58 (Nov. 15, 2021), and in accordance with the Federal 
Advisory Committee Act, as amended (FACA), 5 U.S.C. chapter 10. The 
principal purposes for which the Department will use the information is 
to assist in choosing private sector members of the MBEAC. Information 
received will be maintained in a Privacy Act system of records, 
COMMERCE/DEPT-11, entitled ``Candidates for Membership, Members, and 
Former Members of Department of Commerce Advisory Committees.'' A 
notice describing that system, including a complete set of routine 
disclosures, has been published both in the Federal Register and on the 
Department's website at: https://osec.doc.gov/opog/PrivacyAct/SORNs/dept-11.html. Although providing this information is voluntary, an 
individual cannot be considered for membership without an application 
submission.

Donald R. Cravins, Jr.,
Under Secretary for Minority Business Development, Minority Business 
Development Agency.
[FR Doc. 2023-17837 Filed 8-17-23; 8:45 am]
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