[Federal Register: February 1, 2008 (Volume 73, Number 22)]
[Notices]
[Page 6115-6118]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr01fe08-36]
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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
Economic Development Administration
[Docket No.: 080125084-8086-01]
Solicitation of Applications for the University Center Economic
Development Program
AGENCY: Economic Development Administration (EDA), Department of
Commerce.
ACTION: Notice and request for applications.
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SUMMARY: EDA is soliciting competitive applications from accredited
institutions of higher education and from consortia of accredited
institutions of higher education for FY 2008 University Center Economic
Development Program funding in the geographic areas served by its
Chicago and Philadelphia 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 and in partnership with EDA, they are able to establish and
operate University Centers. These EDA-sponsored University Centers
conduct applied research, provide technical assistance to public and
private sector organizations, and conduct other activities with the
goal of enhancing regional economic development by promoting a
favorable business environment to attract private capital investment
and higher-skill, higher-wage jobs.
DATES: The closing date and time for receipt of applications for
funding under the FY 2008 University Center Economic Development
Program competition is April 15, 2008 at 4 p.m. local time. The Chicago
regional office will hold a pre-application teleconference on March 5,
2008 at 10 a.m. (CST). The Philadelphia regional office will hold its
pre-application teleconference call on March 12, 2008 at 2 p.m. (EST).
For further information and instructions regarding these
teleconferences, please see the information provided below under
``Teleconferences.''
Application Submission Requirements: Applicants are advised to
carefully read the instructions contained in Section IV of the complete
Federal Funding Opportunity (FFO) announcement for this request for
applications. For a copy of the FFO announcement, please see the Web
sites listed below under ``Electronic Access.''
Applications may be submitted in two formats: (i) In paper format
at the addresses provided below; or (ii) electronically in accordance
with the procedures provided on http://www.grants.gov. EDA will not accept
facsimile transmissions of applications. The content of the application
is the same for paper submissions as it is for electronic submissions.
A complete application must contain all the items listed in the
Checklist of Application Materials attached as an Exhibit to the
complete FFO announcement.
You may obtain paper application packages by contacting the
designated point of contact listed below under ``For Further
Information'' for the EDA regional office servicing your geographic
area. Applicants applying electronically through http://www.grants.gov may
access the application package by following the instructions provided
on http://www.grants.gov. Additionally, the following application forms may be
accessed and downloaded as follows: (i) Form ED-900A, Application for
Investment Assistance, at http://www.eda.gov/InvestmentsGrants/Application.xml
; (ii) Standard Forms (SF) at www.grants.gov or at
http://www.eda.gov/InvestmentsGrants/Application.xml; and (iii) Department of Commerce (CD) forms at http://www.doc.gov/forms.
s.
Minnesota, Ohio, Wisconsin, or Muscatine or Scott counties, Iowa,
should submit paper submissions (via postal mail, overnight delivery or
hand-delivery) to: FY 2008 University Center Program Competition,
Economic Development Administration, Chicago Regional Office, 111 North
Canal Street, Suite 855, Chicago, Illinois 60606-7208.
Applicants in Connecticut, Delaware, District of Columbia, Maine,
Maryland, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York,
Pennsylvania, Puerto Rico, Rhode Island, Vermont, Virginia, Virgin
Islands or West Virginia should submit paper submissions (via postal
mail, overnight delivery or hand-delivery) to: FY 2008 University
Center Program Competition, Economic Development Administration,
Philadelphia Regional Office, Curtis Center, Suite 140 South, 601
Walnut Street, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19106-3323.
Department of Commerce mail security measures may delay receipt of
United States Postal Service mail for up to two weeks. Therefore,
applicants who submit paper submissions are advised to use a guaranteed
overnight delivery service.
Electronic Submissions: Applicants may submit applications
electronically in accordance with the instructions provided at
http://www.grants.gov. 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 exhibits to Form ED-900A) is portable
document format (PDF); however, EDA will accept electronic files in
Microsoft Word, WordPerfect, Lotus or Excel formats.
Applicants should 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 e-mail 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).
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For additional information or for a
paper copy of the application package, the designated contact person in
the Chicago regional office is Jack Price. Mr. Price may be reached at
jprice@eda.doc.gov or at 312-353-8143, ext. 159. The designated contact
person in the Philadelphia regional office is William Good. Mr. Good
may be reached at wgood@eda.doc.gov or at 215-597-0405. EDA's Internet
Web site at http://www.eda.gov also has additional information on EDA
and its programs, including the University Center Economic Development
Program.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Program Information: EDA began administering the University Center
Economic Development Program as a competitive multi-year program as
part of its FY 2004 solicitation for applications. Under this multi-
year program designation, EDA held University Center Economic
Development Program competitions annually in two of its six regional
offices in FY 2004 through FY 2006, and will hold similar competitions
in FY 2008 and FY 2009. The Austin and Denver regional offices
solicited applications for the FY 2004 University Center competition,
the Philadelphia and Chicago regional offices solicited applications
for the FY 2005 University Center competition, and the Atlanta and
Seattle regional offices solicited
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applications for the FY 2006 University Center competition.
Electronic Access: The complete FFO announcement for the FY 2008
University Center Economic Development Program competition is available
at www.grants.gov and at http://www.eda.gov/InvestmentsGrants/FFON.xml.
Funding Availability: Funding appropriated under the FY 2008
Consolidated Appropriations Act (Pub. L. No. 110-161, 121 Stat. 1844
(2007)) is available for the economic development assistance programs
authorized by PWEDA and for the Trade Adjustment Assistance for Firms
Program authorized under the Trade Act of 1974, as amended (19 U.S.C.
2341-2391). Funds in the amount of $249,100,000 have been appropriated
for FY 2008 and shall remain available until expended.
In all events, the funding periods and funding amounts referenced
in this notice are subject to the availability of FY 2008 funds at the
time of award, as well as to Department of Commerce's and EDA's
priorities at the time of award. The Department of Commerce and EDA
will not be held responsible for application preparation costs if the
University Center Economic Development Program fails to receive funding
or is cancelled because of agency priorities. Publication of this
notice does not obligate the Department of Commerce or EDA to award any
specific grant or cooperative agreement or to obligate all or part of
available funds.
EDA expects to allocate approximately $7,202,620 to the University
Center Economic Development Program and the remaining appropriated
funds to EDA's Local and National Technical Assistance Programs. The
amount of University Center funding available for competition in FY
2008 is expected to be approximately $1,118,370 for the Chicago
regional office and approximately $1,396,760 for the Philadelphia
regional office. Annual awards for the University Centers selected
under the FY 2005 competition were in the $120,000 to $175,000 range
for the Chicago regional office and in the $80,000 to $150,000 range
for the Philadelphia regional office. These regional offices may,
however, choose to fund awards under this competition outside of these
ranges. The remaining FY 2008 University Center Economic Development
Program funds will be used to continue support for current University
Centers selected during the FY 2006 and FY 2007 competitions in EDA's
other four regional offices. Subject to the availability of funding at
the time of award, the funds allocated to the University Center
Economic Development Program are anticipated to be available until
expended.
Statutory Authority: The authority for the University Center
Program is section 207 (42 U.S.C. 3147) of the Public Works and
Economic Development Act of 1965, as amended (42 U.S.C. 3121 et seq.)
(PWEDA). The specific authority for the University Center Economic
Development Program is section 207 of PWEDA (42 U.S.C. 3147), which
authorizes EDA to make grants for the establishment of University
Centers. EDA's regulations at 13 CFR parts 300-302 and subpart B of 13
CFR part 306 set forth the general and specific regulatory requirements
applicable to the University Center Economic Development Program. EDA's
regulations are codified at 13 CFR chapter III. The regulations and
PWEDA are accessible on EDA's Internet Web site at http://www.eda.gov/InvestmentsGrants/Lawsreg.xml
.
Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance (CFDA) Number: 11.303,
Economic Development--Technical Assistance.
Applicant Eligibility: An accredited institution of higher
education or a consortium of accredited institutions of higher
education is eligible to apply for and to receive funding under the
University Center Economic Development Program. See section 3(12) of
PWEDA (42 U.S.C. 3122(12)) and 13 CFR 300.3. A University-affiliated
research foundation also is eligible to apply for and to receive
funding under the University Center Economic Development Program,
provided it demonstrates (e.g., a letter or other documentation from a
University President or Chancellor) that it maintains the full and
integral support of the University with respect to its economic
development activities. For applicants applying as a consortium, a lead
agent should be identified who would have lead responsibility to EDA
and to the other members of the consortium for implementing a
University Center Economic Development Program award. For FY 2008, the
University Center Economic Development Program competition is open to
eligible applicants in the geographic areas served by EDA's Chicago and
Philadelphia regional offices. The Chicago regional office serves
Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Minnesota, Ohio, Wisconsin and Muscatine
and Scott counties, Iowa. The Philadelphia regional office serves
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.
Project Period: The Chicago and Philadelphia regional offices will
provide a three-year project period for each University Center selected
for funding under the FY 2008 University Center Economic Development
Program competition, with the initial award being made for the first
year of the project period. The selected University Centers will not
have to compete for the second and third years of funding. Funding
beyond the initial year is dependent upon the availability of funds and
satisfactory performance, as determined by EDA and expressed in written
notice. Matching share commitment percentages must remain the same for
all three years of funding.
Current University Center operators in the service areas of EDA's
Atlanta, Austin, Denver and Seattle regional offices will not have to
compete for continuation funding in FY 2008, subject to the
availability of funds and satisfactory continuing performance, as
determined by EDA and expressed in a written notice. The servicing EDA
regional office will contact current University Center operators
regarding the procedures for applying for FY 2008 continuation funding.
Cost Sharing Requirement: Generally, the amount of the EDA grant
may not exceed fifty (50) percent of the total cost of the project.
Projects may receive an additional amount that shall not exceed thirty
(30) percent, as determined by EDA, based on the relative needs of the
region in which the project will be located. See section 204(a) of
PWEDA (42 U.S.C. 3144) and 13 CFR 301.4(b)(1). The Assistant Secretary
of Commerce for Economic Development 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).
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. While cash contributions are preferred, in-kind contributions,
fairly evaluated by EDA, may provide the non-federal share of the total
project cost. See section 204(b) of PWEDA (42 U.S.C. 3144) and Section
I.B. of the FFO announcement for this request for applications. In-kind
contributions, which may include assumptions of debt
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and contributions of space, equipment, and services, are eligible to be
included as part of the non-federal share of eligible project costs if
they 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 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.
Intergovernmental Review: Applications for funding under the
University Center Economic Development Program are subject to the State
review requirements imposed by Executive Order 12372,
``Intergovernmental Review of Federal Programs.''
Evaluation and Selection Procedures: Prior to the review paneling
process, EDA's Chicago and Philadelphia regional offices will undertake
a technical review of each application to ensure that all required
forms, signatures and documentation are present and that the
application is in compliance with the requirements of this competitive
solicitation. Applications failing to meet the technical requirements
of this competitive solicitation will not be referred to the review
panel.
Applications meeting all technical requirements will undergo a
merit review by EDA's Chicago and Philadelphia regional offices. The
review panel will consist of federal employees, at least three (3) of
whom will be members of EDA staff from the Chicago and Philadelphia
regional offices, who will evaluate and competitively rate and rank all
technically-sufficient applications using the criteria provided under
``Evaluation Criteria'' below. The Regional Director of each regional
office is the Selecting Official for the applications received from
applicants located within that regional office's geographic service
area. The review panel will submit to the Selecting Official a list of
applicants recommended for funding.
Evaluation Criteria: The evaluation of applications will be
accomplished through a review using the following criteria, listed in
descending order of importance: (i) Ability to satisfy one or more of
the University Center-specific investment policy guidelines; (ii)
applicant's ability to successfully implement the project; (iii)
feasibility of the project budget; and (iv) cost of the project to the
Federal government. Each criterion is described below.
Ability to Satisfy One or More of the University Center-specific
Investment Policy Guidelines. The following University Center-specific
investment policy guidelines have been adapted from (i) EDA's general
investment policy guidelines set forth in 13 CFR 301.8 and (ii) the
specific award requirements for University Center projects listed in 13
CFR 306.5 (each sub-criterion listed below will be given equivalent
weight). You must provide responses to these University Center-specific
investment policy guidelines as part of the Project Narrative discussed
in Section IV.B.1. of the FFO announcement.
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; and (c) the degree of evidence
demonstrating the support and commitment (both financial and non-
financial) of the highest management levels of the proposed University
Center's 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 local 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; and
Strong cooperation between the business sector, relevant
regional partners and local, State and Federal governments.
Ability to Successfully Implement the Project: The review panel
will evaluate the applicant's ability to successfully implement the
project. This evaluation will include the extent to which the applicant
(including its sponsoring institution) has successfully implemented
past technical assistance projects, especially those involving economic
development. The review panel also will evaluate the expertise of
project staff, as well as the academic programs and other resources
available within the sponsoring institution. See 13 CFR 306.5.
Feasibility of Project Budget: The review panel will evaluate the
feasibility of the project budget, including but not limited to the
reasonableness and the allowability of project costs.
Cost of the Project to the Federal Government: The review panel
will evaluate the cost of the project to the Federal government, taking
into account the technical assistance services to be performed by the
University Center and how those services are anticipated to spur
regional economic development. As provided under ``Cost Sharing
Requirement'' in this request for applications and in Section I.B. of
the FFO announcement, EDA will give a preference to those applications
that include a cash contribution for the matching share requirement.
Selection Factors: EDA expects to fund the highest ranking
applications submitted under this competition solicitation. The
Selecting Official will normally follow the recommendations of the
review panel; however, the Selecting Official may decide not to make a
selection, or he may select an application out of rank order for
several reasons, including: (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);
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(2) the availability of program funding; (3) the geographic balance in
distribution of program funds; (4) program priorities as set forth in
the FFO announcement; or (5) the applicant's performance under previous
federal financial assistance awards.
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
December 30, 2004 (69 FR 78389), are applicable to this competitive
solicitation.
Teleconferences: The Chicago regional office will hold a pre-
application teleconference on March 5, 2008 at 10 a.m. (CST). The
Philadelphia regional office will hold its pre-application
teleconference call on March 12, 2008 at 2 p.m. (EST). These
teleconferences will provide general program information and
information regarding the preparation of applications for funding under
this competitive solicitation. To ensure the integrity of this
competition, EDA will not provide substantive information regarding the
competition to prospective applicants outside of these scheduled
teleconferences.
To ensure that enough incoming lines are available for each caller,
the Chicago regional office requires interested parties planning to
participate on the teleconference to register no later than 5 p.m.
(CST) on February 27, 2008; the Philadelphia regional office requires
interested parties planning to participate on the teleconference to
register no later than 4 p.m. (EST) on March 7, 2008. To register,
please send an email with ``Teleconference Registration'' in the
subject line to the designated contact person in the Chicago or
Philadelphia regional office, as provided under FOR FURTHER INFORMATION
CONTACT in this request for applications. The telephone number and pass
code for each teleconference will be provided upon registration.
Please be advised that the pre-application teleconferences may be
audio-taped and the actual recordings or a transcript of the actual
recording may be made available online for the benefit of prospective
applicants unable to participate. Prospective applicants who choose to
participate on the teleconferences are deemed to consent to the taping.
Paperwork Reduction Act: This document contains collection-of-
information requirements subject to the Paperwork Reduction Act (PRA).
The use of Form ED-900A (Application for Investment Assistance) has
been approved by the Office of Management and Budget (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: January 28, 2008.
Sandy K. Baruah,
Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Economic Development.
[FR Doc. E8-1836 Filed 1-31-08; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-24-P