[Federal Register Volume 73, Number 155 (Monday, August 11, 2008)]
[Notices]
[Pages 46589-46590]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E8-18498]
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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
Minority Business Development Agency
[Docket No.: 071121729-81040-02]
Extension of the Award Period for Certain Native American
Business Enterprise Centers
AGENCY: Minority Business Development Agency, Commerce.
ACTION: Notice.
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SUMMARY: The Minority Business Development Agency (MBDA) is publishing
this notice to allow for up to a twelve (12) month funded extension, on
a non-competitive basis, of the overall award periods for those Native
American Business Enterprise Centers (NABECs) identified in this
notice. MBDA is taking this action to allow for continued program
delivery by the incumbent NABECs operators while MBDA completes the
competitive solicitation and award processes for the next three (3)
year award period for these projects.
DATES: The award period and related funding, if approved by the
Department of Commerce Grants Officer, will commence September 1, 2008
and will continue for a period not to exceed twelve (12) months.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. Efrain Gonzalez, Chief, Office of
Business Development, Minority Business Development Agency, 1401
Constitution Avenue, NW., Room 5075, Washington, DC 20230. Mr. Gonzalez
may be reached by telephone at (202) 482-1940 and by e-mail at
[email protected].
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Pursuant to Executive Order 11625, the NABEC
Program provides standardized business assistance and development
services directly to eligible Native American and minority-owned
businesses. The NABEC Program is a key component of MBDA's overall
business development assistance program and promotes the growth and
competitiveness of minority business enterprises and further
incorporates an entrepreneurial approach to the delivery of client
services. This entrepreneurial strategy expands the reach and service
delivery of the NABEC Program by requiring project operators to develop
and to build upon strategic alliances with public and private sector
partners as a means of serving eligible businesses within each NABEC
applicable geographical service area.
This notice amends MBDA's prior Federal Register notice dated May
11, 2007 (72 FR 26783), to allow for up to a 12-month funded extension,
on a non-competitive basis, of the overall award period for the
following two NABECs: New Mexico NABEC (American Indian Chamber of
Commerce); and the Oklahoma NABEC (Rural Enterprises of Oklahoma,
Inc.). MBDA is taking this action to allow for continued program
delivery by the incumbent NABEC operators while MBDA completes the
competitive solicitation and award processes for the next 3-year award
period for these projects.
The allowable award extensions and additional funding set forth
herein will be made at the sole discretion of MBDA and the Department
of Commerce (Department). In making such determinations, the following
factors will be considered: (1) Whether the NABEC operator is currently
performing at a ``Satisfactory'' (or better) program performance level
at the time the Grants Officer approves the extension; (2) the
availability of appropriated funds; and (3) MBDA and Department
priorities. The project's performance rating will be evaluated through
the standardized performance reports and assessments required under the
NABEC Program.
In no event will MBDA or the Department of Commerce be responsible
to cover any costs incurred outside of the current award period by the
incumbent operators of the NABEC projects affected by this notice if
these NABEC projects are delayed, suspended or cancelled because of
other MBDA or Department priorities. Publication of this announcement
does not oblige MBDA or the Department to award any extensions or to
obligate any available funds for such purpose.
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 February 11, 2008
Federal Register notice (73 FR 7696) are applicable to this notice.
Executive Order 12866
This notice has been determined to be not significant for purposes
of E.O. 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 comment are not required
by the Administrative Procedure Act for rules concerning public
property, loans, 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 is not required and has
not been prepared.
Authority: 15 U.S.C. 1512 and Executive Order 11625.
[[Page 46590]]
Dated: August 6, 2008.
Ronald N. Langston,
National Director, Minority Business Development Agency.
[FR Doc. E8-18498 Filed 8-8-08; 8:45 am]
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