[Federal Register: December 28, 2004 (Volume 69, Number 248)]
[Notices]
[Page 77718-77720]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr28de04-54]
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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
Economic Development Administration
[991215339-4346-14]
Solicitation of Proposals for the University Center (UC) Program
AGENCY: Economic Development Administration (EDA) Department of
Commerce (DOC).
ACTION: Notice and request for proposals.
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SUMMARY: EDA is soliciting proposals for FY 2005 University Center
funding in the areas served by its Philadelphia and Chicago regional
offices. 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. Institutions
of higher education have many assets, such as faculty, staff,
libraries, laboratories, and computer systems, which can help to
address local economic problems and opportunities. With funding from
EDA, institutions of higher education establish and operate University
Centers, which provide technical assistance to public and private
sector organizations with the goal of enhancing local economic
development. EDA has traditionally renewed an award to a University
Center on an annual basis as long as it maintained a satisfactory level
of performance and Congress appropriated funds for the program. In FY
2004, EDA began a phased implementation of a three-year competitive
grant cycle for all of its University Center projects, beginning with
those in the Austin and Denver regional offices. With the competition
announced in this notice for University Center projects in the areas
served by EDA's Philadelphia and Chicago regional offices, EDA is
continuing to phase in competition for University Center funding.
DATES: Proposals must be received by the appropriate EDA regional
office by April 22, 2005, at 4 p.m. (EDT).
ADDRESSES: From proponents in Connecticut, Delaware, District of
Columbia, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey,
New York, Pennsylvania, Puerto Rico, Rhode Island, Vermont, Virginia,
Virgin Islands, and West Virginia: Economic Development Administration,
Philadelphia Regional Office, Curtis Center, 601 Walnut Street, Suite
140 South, Philadelphia, PA 19106.
From proponents in Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Minnesota, Ohio,
and Wisconsin: Economic Development Administration, Chicago Regional
Office, 111 North Canal Street, Suite 844, Chicago, IL 60606.
For a copy of the FFO announcement for this request for proposals,
please see the Web site below listed under ``Electronic Access.''
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For additional information or for a
paper copy of the FFO announcement, contact the appropriate EDA
regional office listed above. EDA's Web site, http://222.eda.gov
contains additional information on EDA and its program.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Electronic Access: EDA is not currently able to accept electronic
submission of proposal packages. However, the full funding opportunity
announcement for the FY 2005 Economic Development Assistance Programs
competition is available through Grants.gov at http://www.grants.gov Additional information is available through EDA's Web site, http://www.eda.gov.
Funding Availability: Funding appropriated under Public Law 108-447
is available for technical assistance programs authorized by the Public
Works and Economic Development Act of 1965, as amended (Public Law 89-
136, 42 U.S.C. 3121, et seq.), and as further amended by Public Law
105-393 and 108-373, and for trade adjustment assistance authorized
under title II, chapters 3 and 5 of the Trade Act of 1974, as amended
(19 U.S.C. 2341-2355;
[[Page 77719]]
2391), and as further amended by Public Law 107-210. Funds in the
amount of $8,322,335 have been appropriated for FY 2005 and shall
remain available until expended.
EDA expects to allocate approximately $6.8 M to the University
Center Program and the remaining funds to LEDA's Local and National
Technical Assistance programs. The amount of University Center funding
available for competition in FY 2005 is expected to be approximately
$1,717,517 in the Philadelphia Regional Office and approximately
$918,376 in the Chicago Regional Office. Anticipated annual awards for
University Centers under the FY 2005 competition are in the $75,000 to
$200,000 range. Regional Offices may, however, choose to fund proposals
under this competition outside that range. The remaining FY 2005
program funds will be used to continue support for current University
Centers. Subject to the availability of funding, the funds made
available under this Program are anticipated to be available until
expended.
Statutory Authority: The authority for programs listed below is the
Public Works and Economic Development Act of 1965, as amended (Public
Law 89-136, 42 U.S.C. 3121, et seq.) and as further amended by the
Economic Development Administration Reauthorization Act (Public Law
108-373).
CFDA: 11.303, Economic Development--Technical Assistance.
Eligibility: For the University Center program, EDA considers all
accredited institutions of higher education as eligible applicants.
For FY 2005 the University Center competition is open to eligible
applicants in areas served by EDA's Philadelphia regional office and
Chicago regional office. The Philadelphia regional office serves
Connecticut, Delaware, District of Columbia, Maine, Maryland,
Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania,
Puerto Rico, Rhodes Island, Vermont, Virginia, Virgin Islands, and West
Virginia. The Chicago region serves Illinois, Indiana, Michigan,
Minnesota, Ohio, and Wisconsin.
Cost Sharing Requirements: Generally, the amount of the EDA grant
may not exceed 50 percent of the cost of the project, unless the
project meets the requirements in 42 U.S.C. 3144. Projects meeting the
criteria may receive an additional amount that shall not exceed 30
percent, based on the relative needs of the area in which the project
will be located. See 42 U.S.C. 3144. While cash contributions are
encouraged, in-kind contributions, fairly evaluated by EDA, may include
assumptions of debt and contributions of space, equipment, and services
and may provide the non-Federal share of the project cost. 42 U.S.C.
3144. In-kind contributions must be eligible project costs and meet
applicable Federal cost principles and uniform administrative
requirements. Id. EDA may supplement the costs of a project up to and
including 100 percent of such project costs where the applicant is able
to demonstrate that the project meets the requirements of 42 U.S.C.
3144(c). Potential applicants should contact the appropriate EDA office
to make this determination.
Funds from other Federal awards may not be considered matching
funds. The nature of contribution (cash versus in-kind) and the amount
of matching funds will be taken into consideration in the review
process. Cash contributions are preferred.
Intergovernmental Review: Applications under this program are
subject to Executive Order 12372, ``Intergovernmental Review of Federal
Programs.''
Evaluation and Section Procedures: EDA's Philadelphia and Chicago
regional offices will conduct an initial administrative and technical
review of each proposal package to determine its completeness and
compliance with requirements.
EDA's Philadelphia and Chicago regional offices will then conduct
an internal review of each proposal meeting the requirements of this
solicitation. This review will be conducted by a minimum of three EDA
staff using the criteria provided in the ``Evaluation Criteria''
section below. Successful proponents under this competition
solicitation will be invited to submit a complete application by the
Philadelphia or Chicago regional office.
Evaluation Criteria: EDA investments in proposed University Centers
will be competitively rated and ranked on their ability to meet or
exceed the criteria set forth at 13 CFR 304.2, as further defined by
the following investment policy guidelines (each criterion will be
given equivalent weight):
1. Be market-based and results driven. An investment in an EDA
University Center will capitalize on the university's competitive
strengths and will bolster regional economic competitiveness, resulting
in tangible, quantifiable improvements in regional economic health--
such as increased numbers of higher-skill, higher-wage jobs, increased
tax revenue or increased private sector investment.
2. Have strong organizational leadership. An investment will have
strong leadership, relevant project management experience, and a
significant commitment of human resources talent to ensure a high-
performing University Center. Specifically for University Center
investments, this includes; (a) the extent to which the proposed
University Center will maximize coordination with other relevant
organizations and avoid duplication of services offered by other
organizations, (b) the extent to which the University Center will
access, take advantage of, and be supported by the other resources
present at the sponsoring institution--especially the institution's
economic development activities, (c) the degree of evidence
demonstrating the support and commitment (both financial and non-
financial) of the proposed University Center's mission from the
leadership of the sponsoring institution.
3. Advance productivity, innovation and entrepreneurship. An
investment in a proposed University Center will embrace the principles
of entrepreneurship; enhance regional industry clusters, and leverage
and link technology innovators (university research) with the private
sector to create the conditions for greater productivity, innovation
and higher-skill, higher-wage job creation.
4. Look beyond the immediate economic horizon, anticipate economic
changes, and diversify the local and regional economy. A University
Center's activities will be part of an overarching, long-term
comprehensive economic development strategy that enhances a region's
success in achieving a rising standard of living.
5. Demonstrate a high degree of commitment by exhibiting:
High levels of local government or non-profit matching
funds and private sector leverage.
Clear and unified leadership and support by local elected
officials.
Strong cooperation between the business sector, relevant
regional partners and local, state and federal governments.
In making its recommendations on which institutions should be
invited to submit a full application, the EDA review team will strive
to avoid the concentration of program funding in a single or very
limited number of geographic areas. For that reason, EDA cannot predict
a minimum ranking of a successful proposal.
Selection Factors: EDA expects to fund the highest ranking
proposals submitted under this competition of solicitation. However,
EDA may
[[Page 77720]]
selected proposals out of order for several reasons including: (1)
Availability of funding; (2) geographic balance in distribution of
funds; (3) program priorities and policy factors as set out in the full
funding opportunity announcement; or (4) applicant's performance under
previous awards.
The 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 October 1, 2001 (66 FR 49917), as amended by the Federal
Register notice published on October 30, 2002 (67 FR 66109), are
applicable to this solicitation.
Teleconference
EDA's Philadelphia and Chicago regional offices will each hold a
teleconference to answer questions about the FY 2005 competition for
University Center funding.
Philadelphia: The Philadelphia regional office will hold its call
on March 23, 2005, at 2 p.m. EST. In order to assure enough incoming
lines are available, EDA requests colleges and universities planning to
participate in the conference call to send an email to
WGood@eda.doc.gov with ``Conference Call Registration'' in the subject
line no later than 5 p.m. EST on March 18, 2005. The number for the
conference call is 888-928-9122. The pass code for this conference call
is ``PRO.''
Chicago: The Chicago regional office will hold its call on March
22, 2005, at 11 a.m. CST. In order to assure enough incoming lines are
available, EDA requests colleges and universities planning to
participate in the conference call to send an email to
RBUSH@eda.doc.gov with ``Conference Call Registration'' in the subject
line no later than 5 p.m. CST on March 18, 2005. The number for
conference call is 888-570-6152. The pass code for this conference call
is ``54776.''
Paperwork Reduction Act
This document contains collection-of-information requirements
subject to the Paperwork Reduction Act (PRA). The use of Form ED-900P
has been approved by OMB under the control number 0610-0094.
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
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: December 21, 2004.
David A. Sampson,
Assistant Secretary for Economic Development.
[FR Doc. 04-28375 Filed 12-27-04; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-24-M