[Federal Register: October 19, 2007 (Volume 72, Number 202)]
[Notices]
[Page 59253-59256]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr19oc07-31]
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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
Economic Development Administration
[Docket No.: 070607177-7586-02]
Solicitation of Applications for the National Technical
Assistance, Training, Research and Evaluation Program: Information
Dissemination Project and Business Incubator Research Project
AGENCY: Economic Development Administration (EDA), Department of
Commerce.
ACTION: Notice and request for applications.
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SUMMARY: The Economic Development Administration (EDA) publishes this
notice to solicit applications for funding under its National Technical
Assistance, Training, Research and Evaluation Program (NTA Program). On
June 21, 2007, EDA published in the Federal Register a notice regarding
NTA Program funding, to solicit applications for funding that address
one or both of the following two projects: (1) Information
dissemination to practitioners serving economically distressed areas;
and (2) a national symposium to bring together leaders to discuss
current and future trends in economic development. On July 6, 2007, EDA
published another notice in the Federal Register to solicit
applications for funding that address one or more of four research
projects, including one relating to business incubators. After
completing its review of applications submitted in response to the June
21, 2007 and July 6, 2007 Federal Register notices, EDA decided not to
make an award for either the information dissemination project or the
business incubator research project. Through this notice, EDA solicits
applications for funding that address only the information
dissemination project or the business incubator research project. EDA
encourages applicants to read the descriptions of both projects as EDA
has provided additional information on important requirements that were
not in the original Federal Funding Opportunity (FFO) announcements and
Federal Register notices.
DATES: The closing date and time for receipt of electronic or paper
applications for funding under this notice and request for applications
is Friday, November 9, 2007 at 5 p.m. EST. To be considered timely, a
completed application, regardless of the format in which it is
submitted, must be either: (1) Received by the EDA representative
listed below under ``Paper Submissions'' no later than November 9, 2007
at 5 p.m. EST; or (2) transmitted and time-stamped at http://www.grants.gov no
later than November 9, 2007 at 5 p.m. EST. Any application received or
transmitted, as the case may be, after 5 p.m. EST on November 9, 2007
will be considered non-responsive and will not be considered for
funding. By December 7, 2007, EDA expects to notify the applicants
selected for investment assistance under this notice. The selected
applicant should expect to receive funding for its project within
thirty days of EDA's notification of selection. Applicants choosing to
submit completed applications electronically in whole or in part
through http://www.grants.gov should follow the instructions set out below
under ``Electronic Access'' and in section IV. of the complete FFO
announcement for this request for applications.
ADDRESSES: Paper Submissions: Full or partial paper (hardcopy)
applications submitted pursuant to this notice and request for
applications may be:
1. E-mailed to William P. Kittredge, Senior Program Analyst, at
wkittredge@eda.doc.gov; or
2. Hand-delivered or mailed to William P. Kittredge, Senior Program
Analyst, Economic Development Administration, Room 7009, U.S.
Department of Commerce, 1401 Constitution Avenue, NW., Washington, DC
20230.
Applicants submitting full or partial paper submissions are encouraged
to do so by e-mail. Applicants are advised that, due to mail security
measures, EDA's receipt of mail sent via the United States Postal
Service may be substantially delayed or suspended in delivery.
Electronic Submissions: Applicants may submit applications
electronically in whole or in part in accordance with the instructions
provided at http://www.grants.gov and in section IV.B. of the FFO
announcement. EDA strongly encourages that applicants not wait until
the application closing date to begin the application process through
http://www.grants.gov. The preferred file format for electronic attachments
(e.g., the project narrative and additional exhibits to Form ED-900A
and Form ED-900A's program-specific component) is portable document
format (PDF); however, EDA will accept electronic files in Microsoft
Word, WordPerfect, Lotus or Excel formats.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For additional information regarding
paper submissions, please contact William P. Kittredge, Senior Program
Analyst, via e-mail at wkittredge@eda.doc.gov (preferred) or by
telephone at (202) 482-5442. For additional information regarding
electronic submissions, please access the following link for assistance
in navigating www.grants.gov and for a list of useful resources: http://www.grants.gov/applicants/applicant_help.jsp.
If you do not find an
answer to your question under Frequently Asked Questions, try
consulting the Applicant's User Guide. If you still cannot find an
answer to your question, contact http://www.grants.gov via email at
support@grants.gov or telephone at 1-800-518-4726. The hours of
operation for http://www.grants.gov are Monday-Friday, 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. (EST)
(except for federal holidays). Additional information about EDA and its
NTA Program may be obtained from EDA's Internet Web site at http://www.eda.gov
.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Background Information: On June 21, 2007 and July 6, 2007, EDA
published two separate Federal Register notices soliciting applications
for funding under its NTA Program. The June 21, 2007, Federal Register
notice (72 FR 34225) solicited applications for funding that addressed
one or both of the following two projects: (1) Information
dissemination to practitioners serving economically distressed areas;
and (2) a national symposium to bring together leaders to discuss
current and future trends in economic development. The deadline for
receipt of applications closed July 23, 2007 at 5 p.m. EST. After
completing its review of applications submitted in response to the June
21, 2007 Federal Register notice, EDA decided not to make an award for
the information dissemination project. Through this notice, EDA
solicits applications for the information dissemination project in
accordance with the project description and deliverables set out in
section I.B. of the FFO announcement. This notice does not address and
does not solicit applications for the national symposium project.
The July 6, 2007, Federal Register notice (72 FR 36952) solicited
applications for funding that addressed one or more of the following
four research projects: (1) Rural economic
[[Page 59254]]
development policy; (2) business incubators; (3) 21st century
regionalism; and (4) private sector community investment. The deadline
for receipt of applications closed on August 3, 2007 at 5 p.m. EST.
After completing its review of applications submitted in response to
the July 6, 2007 Federal Register notice, EDA decided not to make an
award for the business incubator research project. Through this notice,
EDA solicits applications for the business incubator research project
in accordance with the project description set out in section I.B. of
the FFO announcement. Because EDA has made awards for research projects
for (1) Rural economic development policy, (2) 21st century
regionalism, and (3) private sector community investments, this notice
does not address or solicit applications for those projects.
Project Title: Information Dissemination to Practitioners Serving
Economically Distressed Areas
As part of its ongoing mission to assist economically distressed
areas, EDA supports the dissemination of information to economic
development practitioners serving distressed communities. EDA's intent
is to implement a coordinated and complementary information
dissemination program that, through strategic linkages, reaches the
maximum number of economic development practitioners. The dissemination
effort includes the development of distribution lists for each
deliverable, which will be made available to EDA for its use.
EDA is soliciting applications to fund three separate tasks that
will serve the economic development needs of distressed rural and urban
regions, take greater advantage of new technologies for information
dissemination, and identify and widely disseminate information in new
or emerging areas of economic development. As described in detail in
the accompanying FFO announcement that can be accessed at
http://www.grants.gov and at www.eda.gov, the information dissemination
project will include a variety of media and has three component tasks:
(i) Producing and broadcasting strategy telecasts; (ii) preparing and
disseminating monthly electronic newsletters; and (iii) preparing and
disseminating a quarterly magazine/pamphlet. The applicant must address
all three tasks in its application.
Project Title: Business Incubators
Recent studies on economic development, including several EDA-
funded reports, stress the importance of a regional approach to
successful economic development efforts and the importance of fostering
innovation and supporting entrepreneurship as key elements in regional
economic development.
Pursuant to its NTA Program, EDA is soliciting applications to
undertake research involving business incubators. Business incubators
may provide wet lab or office space, and often also offer business
support services, such as business planning and marketing assistance.
Business incubators of whatever type share a common principle: To
nurture the development of entrepreneurial companies. EDA solicits
applications from qualified researchers to build on the existing body
of knowledge about business incubators, distilling the characteristics
of successful incubation efforts and discussing quantitative and
qualitative approaches to measuring incubator success. The research
must be peer-review quality, include coverage of recent developments,
such as virtual incubators, and must be of sufficient scope that the
results, including but not limited to identification of best practices,
are generalizable across the United States.
To be considered for funding, all applications for the projects
solicited through this notice must comply with the new program
requirements set out in the FFO announcement. Any applicant that
submitted an application during the previous solicitation period should
submit a new and complete application, if it wishes to be considered
for funding. All materials must be received by EDA by November 9, 2007
at 5 p.m. EST.
Application Package: An application package for either proposed
project consists of the following three forms:
1. Form ED-900A, Application for Investment Assistance (OMB Control
No. 0610-0094);
2. Form ED-900A's program-specific component, National Technical
Assistance, Training, and Research and Evaluation Program Requirements
(OMB Control No. 0610-0094); and
3. Form SF-424, Application for Federal Assistance (OMB Control No.
4040-0004).
Please note that applicants must submit all three forms in accordance
with the instructions provided in sections IV. and VII.B. of the FFO
announcement. Applicants also must ensure that they access and complete
the current version of all required forms.
As stated in section I.A. of the FFO announcement, applicants that
applied during the prior solicitation period and are interested in
applying under this competitive solicitation should submit new and
complete applications that fully adhere to the project descriptions and
deliverables set out under section I.B. of the FFO announcement.
Submitting Application Packages: Applications for either project
may be submitted in three formats: (1) Full paper (hardcopy)
submission; (2) partial paper (hardcopy) submission and partial
electronic submission; or (3) full electronic submission, each in
accordance with the procedures provided in section IV.B. of the FFO
announcement. The content of the application is the same for paper
submissions as it is for electronic submissions. Applications completed
in accordance with the instructions set forth in the FFO announcement,
regardless of the option chosen for submission, will be considered for
EDA funding under this request for applications. Incomplete
applications and applications submitted by facsimile will not be
considered.
Paper Access: Each of the three forms listed above under
``Application Package'' are separate attachments available at http://www.eda.gov/InvestmentsGrants/Application.xml.
You may print copies of
each of these forms from http://www.eda.gov/InvestmentsGrants/Application.xml.
You also may obtain paper application packages by
contacting the EDA representative listed above under ``For Further
Information Contact.''
Electronic Access: Applicants may apply electronically through
http://www.grants.gov, and may access this grant opportunity synopsis by
following the instructions provided on http://www.grants.gov/search/basic.do.
The synopsis will have an application package, which is an
electronic file that contains forms pertaining to this specific grant
opportunity. On http://www.grants.gov/search/basic.do, applicants can
perform a basic search for this grant opportunity by completing the
``Keyword Search,'' the ``Search by Funding Opportunity Number,'' or
the ``Search by CFDA Number'' field, and then clicking the ``Search''
button.
Funding Availability: EDA will use funds currently available to
make awards under the NTA Program authorized under section 207 of the
Public Works and Economic Development Act of 1965 (42 U.S.C. 3147), as
amended (PWEDA), and 13 CFR part 306, subpart A.
Based on recent past awards for projects similar to the information
dissemination project solicited under this announcement, the range of
total expenditures for such projects has been from $150,000 to
$250,000.
[[Page 59255]]
Based on recent past awards for research projects similar to the
business incubator research project solicited under this announcement,
the range of funding awarded for such a project has been from $150,000
to $350,000. The project period will be one year from the date the
award is made, but the recipient may be required to remain available to
present research findings at select meetings and conferences
approximately six to twelve months beyond the project period. Although
the schedule for such meetings and conferences will likely not be known
until EDA has received the final business incubator research report,
they will be scheduled in consultation with the recipient, and the
recipient will have ample time to prepare.
Statutory Authority: The authority for the NTA Program is PWEDA.
EDA published final regulations (codified at 13 CFR chapter III) in the
Federal Register on September 27, 2006 (71 FR 56658). The final
regulations and PWEDA are accessible on EDA's Internet website at
http://www.eda.gov/InvestmentsGrants/Lawsreg.xml. These regulations
will govern an award made under this notice and request for
applications.
Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance (CFDA) Numbers: 11.303,
Economic Development--Technical Assistance; 11.312, Economic
Development--Research and Evaluation.
Eligibility Requirement: Pursuant to PWEDA, eligible applicants for
and eligible 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; a public or private non-profit
organization or association; and, as provided in section 207 of PWEDA
(42 U.S.C. 3147) for the NTA Program, a for-profit organization. See
section 3 of PWEDA (42 U.S.C. 3122) and 13 CFR 300.3.
Cost Sharing Requirement: Generally, the amount of the EDA grant
may not exceed fifty (50) percent of the total cost of the project.
However, a project may receive an additional amount that shall not
exceed thirty (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). Under this
competitive solicitation, the Assistant Secretary of Commerce for
Economic Development (Assistant Secretary) also has the discretion to
establish a maximum EDA investment rate of up to one hundred (100)
percent where the project (i) merits and is not otherwise feasible
without an increase to the EDA investment rate; or (ii) will be of no
or only incidental benefit to the recipient. See section 204(c)(3) of
PWEDA (42 U.S.C. 3144) and 13 CFR 301.4(b)(4).
While cash contributions are preferred, in-kind contributions,
consisting of assumptions of debt or contributions of space, equipment,
and services, may provide the 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 that allows such use, 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, available as needed and not conditioned or encumbered in any
way that precludes its use consistent with the requirements of EDA
investment assistance. See 13 CFR 301.5.
Intergovernmental Review: Applications under the NTA Program are
not subject to Executive Order 12372, ``Intergovernmental Review of
Federal Programs.''
Evaluation and Selection Procedures: To apply for an award under
this request for applications, an eligible applicant must submit a
completed application package to EDA before the closing date and time
specified in the ``Dates'' section of this notice, and in the manner
provided in section IV. of the FFO announcement. Any application
received or transmitted, as the case may be, after 5 p.m. EST on
November 9, 2007 will not be considered for funding. Applications that
do not meet all items required or that exceed the page limitations set
forth in section IV.C. of the FFO announcement will be considered non-
responsive and will not be considered for funding. By December 7, 2007,
EDA expects to notify the applicants selected for investment assistance
under this notice. Unsuccessful applicants will be notified by postal
mail that their applications were not selected for funding.
Applications that meet all the requirements will be evaluated by a
review panel comprised of at least three EDA staff members, all of whom
will be full-time federal employees.
Evaluation Criteria: The review panel will evaluate the
applications received for each proposed project and rate and rank them
using the following criteria of approximate equal weight:
1. Conformance with EDA's statutory and regulatory requirements,
including the extent to which the proposed project satisfies the award
requirements set out below and as provided in 13 CFR 306.2:
a. Strengthens the capacity of local, State or national
organizations and institutions to undertake and promote effective
economic development programs targeted to regions of distress;
b. Benefits distressed regions; and
c. Demonstrates innovative approaches to stimulate economic
development in distressed regions;
2. The degree to which an EDA investment will have strong
organizational leadership, relevant project management experience and a
significant commitment of human resources talent to ensure the
project's successful execution (see 13 CFR 301.8(b));
3. The ability of the applicant to implement the proposed project
successfully (see 13 CFR 301.8);
4. The feasibility of the budget presented; and
5. The cost to the Federal government.
Selection Factors: The Assistant Secretary will be the Selecting
Official. EDA expects to fund the highest ranking application for each
project, as recommended by the review panel, submitted under this
competitive solicitation. However, for one or both projects, the
Assistant Secretary may not make any selection, or he may select an
application out of rank order for the following reasons: (1) A
determination that the application better meets the overall objectives
of sections 2 and 207 of PWEDA (42 U.S.C. 3121 and 3147); (2) the
applicant's performance under previous awards; or (3) the availability
of funding.
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, published in the Federal Register on
December 30, 2004 (69 FR 78389), are applicable to this competitive
solicitation. This notice may be accessed by entering the Federal
Register volume and page number provided in the previous sentence at
the following Internet website: http://www.gpoaccess.gov/fr/retrieve.html
.
[[Page 59256]]
Paperwork Reduction Act
This request for applications contains collections of information
subject to the requirements of the Paperwork Reduction Act (PRA). The
Office of Management and Budget (OMB) has approved the use of Form ED-
900A (Application for Investment Assistance) under control number 0610-
0094. Form ED-900A's program-specific component (National Technical
Assistance, Training, and Research and Evaluation Program Requirements)
also is approved under OMB control number 0610-0094, and incorporates
Forms SF-424A (Budget Information--Non-Construction Programs, OMB
control number 0348-0044) and SF-424B (Assurances--Non-Construction
Programs, OMB control number 0348-0040). OMB has approved the use of
Form SF-424 (Application for Financial Assistance) under control number
4040-0004. 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 the 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, ``Regulatory Planning and Review.''
Executive Order 13132
It has been determined that this notice does not contain ``policies
that have Federalism implications,'' as that phrase is defined in
Executive Order 13132, ``Federalism.''
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: October 15, 2007.
Benjamin Erulkar,
Deputy Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Economic Development and
Chief Operating Officer.
[FR Doc. E7-20627 Filed 10-18-07; 8:45 am]
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