[Federal Register Volume 75, Number 84 (Monday, May 3, 2010)]
[Notices]
[Pages 23319-23325]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2010-10239]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Office of the Secretary of Transportation
Notice of Funding Availability for the Small Business
Transportation Resource Center Program
AGENCY: Office of the Secretary of Transportation (OST), Office of
Small and Disadvantaged Business Utilization (OSDBU), Department of
Transportation (DOT).
ACTION: Notice of Funding Availability.
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SUMMARY: The Department of Transportation (DOT), Office of the
Secretary (OST), Office of Small and Disadvantaged Business Utilization
(OSDBU) announces the opportunity for; (1) Business centered community-
based organizations; (2) transportation-related trade associations; (3)
colleges and universities; (4) community colleges or; (5) chambers of
commerce, registered with the Internal Revenue Service as 501 C(6) or
501 C(3) tax-exempt organizations, to compete for participation in
OSDBU's Small Business Transportation Resource Center (SBTRC) program
in the Central Region, the Southeast Region, and the West Central
Region. The Southwest, South Atlantic, and Mid-South Atlantic Regions
have previously been competed in Fiscal Year 2010. The Great Lakes,
Gulf, Mid Atlantic, Northeast, and Northwest Regions will be competed
at a later date as their cooperative agreements expire.
OSDBU will enter into Cooperative Agreements with these
organizations to outreach to the small business community in their
designated region and provide financial and technical assistance,
business training programs, such as, business assessment, management
training, counseling, technical assistance, marketing and outreach, and
the dissemination of information, to encourage and assist small
businesses to become better prepared to compete for, obtain, and manage
DOT funded transportation-related contracts and subcontracts at the
Federal, State and local levels.
[[Page 23320]]
Throughout this notice, the term ``small business'' will refer to:
8(a), Disadvantaged business enterprises (DBE), women owned small
business (WOB), HubZone, service disabled veteran owned business
(SDVOB), and veteran owned small business (VOSB). Throughout this
notice, ``transportation-related'' is defined as the maintenance,
rehabilitation, restructuring, improvement, or revitalization of any of
the nation's modes of transportation.
Funding Opportunity Number: USDOT-OST-OSDBU-SBTRC2010-3.
Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance (CFDA) Number: 20.910
Assistance to small and disadvantaged businesses.
Type of Award: Cooperative Agreement Grant.
Award Ceiling: $150,000.
Award Floor: $110,000.
Program Authority: DOT is authorized under 49 U.S.C. 332 (b)
(4), (5) &(7) to design and carry out programs to assist small
disadvantaged businesses in getting transportation-related contracts
and subcontracts develop support mechanisms, including management
and technical services, that will enable small disadvantaged
businesses to take advantage of those business opportunities; and to
make arrangements to carry out the above purposes.
DATES: Complete Proposals must be electronically submitted to OSDBU via
e-mail on or before June 2, 2010, 5 p.m. Eastern Standard Time.
Proposals received after the deadline will be considered non-responsive
and will not be reviewed. The applicant is advised to turn on request
delivery receipt notification for e-mail submissions. DOT plans to give
notice of awards for the competed regions on or before June 30, 2010.
ADDRESSES: Applications must be electronically submitted to OSDBU via
e-mail at [email protected].
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For further information concerning
this notice, contact Mr. Arthur D. Jackson, U.S. Department of
Transportation, Office of Small and Disadvantaged Business Utilization,
1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE. W56-462, Washington, DC 20590. Telephone:
1-800-532-1169. E-mail: [email protected].
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Table of Contents
1. Introduction
1.1 Background
1.2 Program Description and Goals
1.3 Description of Competition
1.4 Duration of Agreements
1.5 Authority
1.6 Eligibility Requirements
2. Program Requirements
2.1 Recipient Responsibilities
2.2 Office of Small and Disadvantaged Business
Utilization Responsibilities
3. Submission of Proposals
3.1 Format for Proposals
3.2 Address, Number of Copies, Deadline for Submission
4. Selection Criteria
4.1 General Criteria
4.2 Scoring of Applications
4.3 Conflicts of Interest
Format for Proposals--Appendix A
Full Text of Announcement
1. Introduction
1.1 Background
The United States Department of Transportation (DOT) established
the Office of Small and Disadvantaged Business Utilization (OSDBU) in
accordance with Public Law 95-507, an amendment to the Small Business
Act and the Small Business Investment Act of 1958.
The mission of OSDBU at DOT is to ensure that the small and
disadvantaged business policies and goals of the Secretary of
Transportation are developed and implemented in a fair, efficient and
effective manner to serve small and disadvantaged businesses throughout
the country. The OSDBU also administers the provisions of Title 49,
Section 332, the Minority Resource Center (MRC) which includes the
duties of advocacy, outreach and financial services on behalf of small
and disadvantaged business and those certified under CFR 49 parts 23
and or 26 as Disadvantaged Business Enterprises (DBE) and the
development of programs to encourage, stimulate, promote and assist
small businesses to become better prepared to compete for, obtain and
manage transportation-related contracts, and subcontracts.
The Regional Partnerships Division of OSDBU, through the SBTRC
program allows OSDBU to partner with local organizations to offer a
comprehensive delivery system of business training, technical
assistance and dissemination of information, targeted towards small
business transportation enterprises in their regions.
1.2 Program Description and Goals
The national SBTRC program utilizes Cooperative Agreements with
chambers of commerce, trade associations, educational institutions and
business-centered community based organizations to establish SBTRCs to
provide business training, technical assistance and information to DOT
grantees and recipients, prime contractors and subcontractors. In order
to be effective and serve their target audience, the SBTRCs must be
active in the local transportation community in order to identify and
communicate opportunities and provide the required technical
assistance. SBTRCs must already have, or demonstrate the ability to
establish working relationships with the State and local transportation
agencies and technical assistance agencies (i.e., The U.S. Department
of Commerce's Minority Business Development Centers (MBDCs), Small
Business Development Centers (SBDCs), Procurement Technical Assistance
Centers (PTACs), SCORE and State DOT highway supportive services
contractors in their region. Utilizing these relationships and their
own expertise, the SBTRCs are involved in activities such as
information dissemination, small business counseling, and technical
assistance with small businesses currently doing business with public
and private entities in the transportation industry.
Effective outreach is critical to the success of the SBTRC program.
In order for their outreach efforts to be effective, SBTRCs must be
familiar with DOT's Operating Administrations, its funding sources, and
how funding is awarded to DOT grantees, recipients, contractors,
subcontractors, and its financial assistance programs. SBTRCs must
outreach to the regional small business transportation community to
disseminate information and distribute DOT-published marketing
materials, such as STLP Program Information, Bonding Assistance
information, SBTRC brochures and literature, Procurement Forecasts;
Contracting with DOT booklets, and any other materials or resources
that DOT or OSDBU may develop for this purpose. To maximize outreach,
the SBTRC may be called upon to participate in regional and national
conferences and seminars. Quantities of DOT publications for on-hand
inventory and dissemination at conferences and seminars will be
available upon request from the OSDBU office.
1.3 Description of Competition
The purpose of this RFP is to solicit proposals from
transportation-related trade associations, chambers of commerce,
community based entities, colleges and universities, community
colleges, and any other qualifying transportation-related non-profit
organizations with the desire and ability to partner with OSDBU to
establish and maintain an SBTRC.
It is OSDBU's intent to award Cooperative Agreement to one
organization in each of the designated geographical area(s), from
herein
[[Page 23321]]
referred to as ``region(s)'', competed in this solicitation. However,
if warranted, OSDBU reserves the option to make multiple awards to
selected partners. Proposals submitted for a region must contain a plan
to service the entire region, not just the SBTRC State or local
geographical area. The region's SBTRC headquarters must be established
in the designated State set forth below. Submitted proposals must also
contain justification for the establishment of the SBTRC headquarters
in a particular city within the designated State.
SBTRC Region(s) Competed in This Solicitation
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Central Region:
Missouri, Headquarters.
Arkansas.
Iowa.
Kansas.
Minnesota.
Southeast Region:
Florida, Headquarters.
Alabama.
Mississippi.
Puerto Rico.
Virgin Islands.
West Central Region:
Colorado, Headquarters.
Nebraska.
North Dakota.
South Dakota.
Utah.
Wyoming.
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Program requirements and selection criteria, set forth in Sections
2 and 4 respectively, indicate, the OSDBU intends for the SBTRC to be
multidimensional; that is, the selected organizations must have the
capacity to effectively access and provide supportive services to the
broad range of small businesses within the respective geographical
region. To this end, the SBTRC must be able to demonstrate that they
currently have established relationships within the geographic region
with whom they may coordinate and establish effective networks with DOT
grant recipients and local/regional technical assistance agencies to
maximize resources.
Cooperative agreement awards will be distributed to the region(s)
as follows:
Central Region................................ Up to $150,000 per year.
Southeast Region.............................. Up to $123,000 per year.
West Central Region........................... Up to $110,000 per year.
Cooperative agreement awards by region are based upon an analysis
of DBEs, Certified Small Businesses, and U.S. DOT transportation
dollars in each region.
It is OSDBU's intent to maximize the benefits received by the small
business transportation community through the SBTRC. Funding may be
utilized to reimburse an on-site Project Director up to 100% of salary
plus fringe benefits, an on-site Executive Director up to 50% of salary
plus fringe benefits, the cost of designated SBTRC space, other direct
costs, and all other general and administrative expenses. Selected
SBTRC partners will be expected to provide in-kind administrative
support. Submitted proposals must contain an alternative funding source
with which the SBTRC will fund administrative support costs. Preference
will be given to proposals containing in-kind contributions for the
Project Director, the Executive Director, cost of designated SBTRC
space, other direct costs, and all other general and administrative
expenses.
1.4 Duration of Agreements
Cooperative agreements will be awarded for a period of 12 months
(one year) with options for two (2) additional one year periods. OSDBU
will notify the SBTRC of our intention to exercise an option year or
not to exercise an option year 30 days in advance of expiration of the
current year.
1.5 Authority
DOT is authorized under 49 U.S.C. 332(b)(4), (5) & (7) to design
and carry out programs to assist small disadvantaged businesses in
getting transportation-related contracts and subcontracts; develop
support mechanisms, including management and technical services, that
will enable small disadvantaged businesses to take advantage of those
business opportunities; and to make arrangements to carry out the above
purposes.
1.6 Eligibility Requirements
To be eligible, an organization must be an established, nonprofit,
community-based organization, transportation-related trade association,
chamber of commerce, college or university, community college, and any
other qualifying transportation-related non-profit organization which
has the documented experience and capacity necessary to successfully
operate and administer a coordinated delivery system that provides
access for small businesses to prepare and compete for transportation-
related contracts.
In addition, to be eligible, the applicant organization must:
(A) Be an established 501C(3) or 501C(6) tax-exempt organization
and provide documentation as verification. No application will be
accepted without proof of tax-exempt status;
(B) Have at least one year of documented and continuous experience
prior to the date of application in providing advocacy, outreach, and
technical assistance to small businesses within the region in which
proposed services will be provided. Prior performance providing
services to the transportation community is preferable, but not
required; and
(C) Have an office physically located within the proposed city in
the designated headquarters State in the region for which they are
submitting the proposal that is readily accessible to the public.
2. Program Requirements
2.1 Recipient Responsibilities
(A) Assessments, Business Analyses
1. Conduct an assessment of small businesses in the SBTRC region to
determine their training and technical assistance needs, and use
information that is available at no cost to structure programs and
services that will enable small business enterprises to become better
prepared to compete for and receive transportation-related contract
awards.
2. Contact other Federal, State and local governmental agencies,
such as the U.S. Small Business Administration, (SBA), State and local
highway departments, State and local airport authorities, and transit
authorities to identify relevant and current information that may
support the assessment of the regional small business transportation
community needs.
(B) General Management & Technical Training and Assistance
1. Utilize OSDBU's Intake Form to document each small business
assisted by the SBTRC and type of service(s) provided. The completed
form must be transmitted electronically to the SBTRC Program Manager on
a monthly basis, accompanied by a narrative report on the activities
and performance results
[[Page 23322]]
for that period. The data gathered must be supportive by the narrative
and must relate to the numerical data on the monthly reports.
2. Ensure that an array of information is made available for
distribution to the small business transportation community that is
designed to inform and educate the community on DOT/OSDBU services and
opportunities.
3. Coordinate efforts with OSDBU's National Information
Clearinghouse in order to maintain an on-hand inventory of DOT/OSDBU
informational materials for general dissemination and for distribution
at transportation-related conferences and other events.
(C) Business Counseling
1. Collaborate with agencies, such as the SBA, U.S. Department of
Commerce's Minority Business Development Centers (MBDCs), Service Corps
of Retired Executives (SCORE), Procurement Technical Assistance Centers
(PTACs), and Small Business Development Centers (SBDCs), to offer a
broad range of counseling services to transportation-related small
business enterprises.
2. Create a technical assistance plan that will provide each
counseled participant with the knowledge and skills necessary to
improve the management of their own small business to expand their
transportation-related contracts and subcontracts portfolio.
3. Provide a minimum of 20 hours of individual or group counseling
sessions to small businesses per month.
(D) Planning Committee
1. Establish a Regional Planning Committee consisting of at least 7
members that includes representatives from the regional community and
Federal, State, and local agencies. The highway, airport, and transit
authorities for the SBTRC's headquarters State must have representation
on the planning committee. This committee shall be established no later
than 60 days after the execution of the Cooperative agreement between
the OSDBU and the selected SBRTC.
2. Provide a forum for the Federal, State, and local agencies to
disseminate information about upcoming procurements.
3. Hold either monthly or quarterly meetings at a time and place
agreed upon by SBTRC and planning committee members.
4. Use the initial session (teleconference call) by the SBTRC to
explain the mission of the committee and identify roles of the staff
and the members of the group.
5. Responsibility for the agenda and direction of the Planning
Committee should be handled by the SBTRC Executive Director or his/her
designee.
(E) Outreach Services/Conference Participation
1. Utilize the services of the Central Contractor Registration
(CCR) and other sources to construct a database of regional small
businesses that currently or may participate in DOT direct and DOT
funded transportation related contracts, and make this database
available to OSDBU, upon request.
2. Utilize the database of regional transportation-related small
businesses to match opportunities identified through the planning
committee forum, FedBiz Opps, a Web-based system for posting
solicitations and other Federal procurement-related documents on the
Internet, and other sources to eligible small businesses and contact
the eligible small businesses about those opportunities.
3. Develop a ``targeted'' database of firms (100-150) that have the
capacity and capabilities, and are ready, willing and able to
participate in DOT contracts and subcontracts immediately. This control
group will receive ample resources from the SBTRC, i.e., access to
working capital, bonding assistance, business counseling, management
assistance and direct referrals to DOT agencies at the State and local
levels, and to prime contractors as effective subcontractor firms.
4. Identify regional, State and local conferences where a
significant number of small businesses, with transportation related
capabilities, are expected to be in attendance. Maintain and submit a
list of those events to the SBTRC Program Manager for review and for
posting on the OSDBU Web site on a monthly basis. Include
recommendations for OSDBU and/or SBTRC participation with the list.
5. Conduct outreach and disseminate information to small businesses
at regional transportation-related conferences, seminars, and
workshops. In the event that the SBTRC is requested to participate in
an event, prior approval must be granted by the OSDBU prior to
participation. Upon OSDBU approval, the SBTRC will send DOT materials,
the OSDBU banner and other information that is deemed necessary for the
event.
6. Submit a conference summary report to OSDBU no later than 5
business days after participation in the event or conference. The
conference summary report must summarize activities, contacts, outreach
results, and recommendations for continued or discontinued
participation in future similar events sponsored by that organization.
7. Upon approval by OSDBU, coordinate efforts with DOT's grantees
and recipients at the State and/or local levels to sponsor or cosponsor
an OSDBU transportation related conference in the region.
(F) Loan and Bond Assistance
1. Work with STLP participating banks and if not available, other
lending institutions, to deliver a minimum of five (5) seminars/
workshops per year on the STLP financial assistance program to the
transportation-related small business community. The seminar/workshop
must cover the entire STLP process, from completion of STLP loan
applications and preparation of the loan package to graduation from the
STLP.
2. Provide direct support, technical support, and advocacy services
to potential STLP applicants to increase the probability of STLP loan
approval and generate a minimum of 5 approved STLP applications per
year.
3. Work with local bond producers/agents in your region to deliver
a minimum of five (5) seminars/workshops to DBEs on the DOT ARRA BAP
and how the Reimbursable Fee Program works. A minimum of 10 DBE firms
per workshop should participate.
4. Provide direct support, technical support, and advocacy services
to potential Disadvantaged Business Enterprise American Reinvestment
and Recovery Act of 2009 Bonding Assistance Reimbursable Fee Program
(DBE ARRA BAP) applicants to increase the probability of reimbursement
approval and generate a minimum of 5 approved DBE ARRA BAP applications
until September 8, 2010 or until notice of cessation in the event the
program is extended.
5. Provide direct support, technical support, and advocacy services
to potential Bonding Assistance Program (BAP) applicants to increase
the probability of guaranteed bond approval and generate a minimum of 5
approved BAP applications per year from inception of the BAP program.
(G) Furnish all labor, facilities and equipment to perform the
services described in this announcement.
2.2 Office of Small and Disadvantaged Business Utilization (OSDBU)
Responsibilities
(A) Provide consultation and technical assistance in planning,
implementing and evaluating activities under this announcement.
(B) Provide orientation and training to the applicant organization.
[[Page 23323]]
(C) Monitor SBTRC activities, cooperative agreement compliance, and
overall SBTRC performance.
(D) Assist SBTRC to develop or strengthen its relationships with
Federal, State, and local transportation authorities, other technical
assistance organizations, and DOT grantees.
(E) Facilitate the exchange and transfer of successful program
activities and information among all SBTRC regions.
(F) Provide the SBTRC with DOT/OSDBU materials and other relevant
transportation-related information for dissemination.
(G) Maintain effective communication with the SBTRC and inform them
of transportation news and contracting opportunities to share with
small businesses in their region.
(H) Provide all required forms to be used by the SBTRC for
reporting purposes under the program.
(I) Perform an annual performance evaluation of the SBTRC.
Satisfactory performance is a condition of continued participation of
the organization as an SBTRC and execution of all option years.
3. Submission of Proposals
3.1 Format for Proposals
Each proposal must be submitted to DOT's OSDBU in the format set
forth in the application form attached as Appendix A to this
announcement.
3.2 Address; Number of Copies; Deadlines for Submission
Any eligible organization, as defined in Section 1.6 of this
announcement, will submit only one proposal per region for
consideration by OSDBU. Eligible organizations may submit proposals for
multiple regions.
Applications must be double spaced, and printed in a font size not
smaller than 12 points. Applications will not exceed 35 single-sided
pages, not including any requested attachments.
All pages should be numbered at the top of each page. All
documentation, attachments, or other information pertinent to the
application must be included in a single submission.
Grant application packages must be submitted electronically to
OSDBU at [email protected]. The applicant is advised to turn on request
delivery receipt notification for e-mail submissions.
Proposals must be received by DOT/OSDBU no later than June 2, 2010
5 p.m., EST.
4. Selection Criteria
4.1 General Criteria
OSDBU will award the cooperative agreement on a best value basis,
using the following criteria to rate and rank applications:
Applications will be evaluated using a point system (maximum number
of points = 100);
Approach and strategy (25 points).
Linkages (25 points).
Organizational Capability (25 points).
Staff Capabilities and Experience (15 points).
Cost Proposal (10 points).
(A) Approach and Strategy (25 Points)
The applicant must describe their strategy to achieve the overall
mission of the SBTRC as described in this solicitation and service the
small business community in their entire geographic regional area. The
applicant must also describe how the specific activities outlined in
Section 2.1 will be implemented and executed in the organization's
regional area. OSDBU will consider the extent to which the proposed
objectives are specific, measurable, time-specific, and consistent with
OSDBU goals and the applicant organization's overall mission. OSDBU
will give priority consideration to applicants that demonstrate
innovation and creativity in their approach to assist small businesses
to become successful transportation contractors and increase their
ability to access DOT contracting opportunities and financial
assistance programs. Applicants must also submit the estimated direct
costs, other than labor, to execute their proposed strategy. OSDBU will
consider the quality of the applicant's plan for conducting program
activities and the likelihood that the proposed methods will be
successful in achieving proposed objectives at the proposed cost.
(B) Linkages (25 Points)
The applicant must describe their established relationships within
their geographic region and demonstrate their ability to coordinate and
establish effective networks with DOT grant recipients and local/
regional technical assistance agencies to maximize resources. OSDBU
will consider innovative aspects of the applicant's approach and
strategy to build upon their existing relationships and established
networks with existing resources in their geographical area. The
applicant should describe their strategy to obtain support and
collaboration on SBTRC activities from DOT grantees and recipients,
transportation prime contractors and subcontractors, the SBA, U.S.
Department of Commerce's Minority Business Development Centers (MBDCs),
Service Corps of Retired Executives (SCORE), Procurement Technical
Assistance Centers (PTACs), Small Business Development Centers (SBDCs),
State DOTs, and State highway supportive services contractors. In
rating this factor, OSDBU will consider the extent to which the
applicant demonstrates ability to be multidimensional. The applicant
must demonstrate that they have the ability to access a broad range of
supportive services to effectively serve a broad range of
transportation-related small businesses within their respective
geographical region. Emphasis will also be placed on the extent to
which the applicant identifies a clear outreach strategy related to
identified needs that can be successfully carried out within the period
of this agreement and a plan for involving the Planning Committee in
the execution of that strategy.
(C) Organizational Capability (25 Points)
The applicant must demonstrate that they have the organizational
capability to meet the program requirements set forth in Section 2. The
applicant organization must have sufficient resources and past
performance experience to successfully outreach to the small business
transportation resources in their geographical area and carry out the
mission of the SBTRC. In rating this factor, OSDBU will consider the
extent to which the applicant's organization has recent, relevant and
successful experience in advocating for and addressing the needs of
small businesses. Applicants will be given points for demonstrated past
transportation-related performance. The applicant must also describe
technical and administrative resources it plans to use in achieving
proposed objectives. In their description, the applicant must describe
their facilities, computer and technical facilities, ability to tap
into volunteer staff time, and a plan for sufficient matching
alternative financial resources to fund the general and administrative
costs of the SBTRC. The applicant must also describe their
administrative and financial management staff. OSDBU will place an
emphasis on capabilities of the applicant's financial management staff.
(D) Staff Capability and Experience (15 Points)
The applicant organization must provide a list of proposed
personnel for the project, with salaries, fringe benefit burden
factors, educational levels and
[[Page 23324]]
previous experience clearly delineated. The applicant's project team
must be well-qualified, knowledgeable, and able to effectively serve
the diverse and broad range of small businesses in their geographical
region. The Executive Director and the Project Director shall be deemed
key personnel. Detailed resumes must be submitted for all proposed key
personnel and outside consultants and subcontractors. Proposed key
personnel must have detailed demonstrated experience providing services
similar in scope and nature to the proposed effort. The proposed
Project Director will serve as the responsible individual for the
program. 100% of the Project Director's time must be dedicated to the
SBTRC. Both the Executive Director and the Project Director must be
located on-site. In this element, OSDBU will consider the extent to
which the applicant's proposed Staffing Plan; (a) clearly meets the
education and experience requirements to accomplish the objectives of
the cooperative agreement; (b) delineates staff responsibilities and
accountability for all work required and; (c) presents a clear and
feasible ability to execute the applicant's proposed approach and
strategy.
(E) Cost Proposal (10 Points)
Applicants must submit the total proposed cost of establishing and
administering the SBTRC in the applicant's geographical region for a 12
month period, inclusive of costs funded through alternative matching
resources. The applicant's budget must be adequate to support the
proposed strategy and costs must be reasonable in relation to project
objectives. The portion of the submitted budget funded by OSDBU can not
exceed the ceiling outlined in Section 1.3 Description of Competition
per fiscal year. Applicants are encouraged to provide in-kind costs and
other innovative cost approaches.
4.2 Scoring of Applications
A review panel will score each application based upon the
evaluation criteria listed above. Points will be given for each
evaluation criteria category, not to exceed the maximum number of
points allowed for each category. Proposals which are deemed non-
responsive, do not meet the established criteria, or incomplete at the
time of submission will be disqualified.
OSDBU will perform a responsibility determination of the
prospective winning recipient in each region, which may include a site
visit, before awarding the cooperative agreement.
4.3 Conflicts of Interest
Applicants must submit signed statements by key personnel and all
organization principals indicating that they, or members of their
immediate families, do not have a personal, business or financial
interest in any DOT-funded transportation projects, nor any
relationships with local or State transportation agencies that may have
the appearance of a conflict of interest.
Appendix A
Format for Proposals for the Department of Transportation Office of
Small and Disadvantaged Business Utilization's Small Business
Transportation Resource Center (SBTRC) Program
Submitted proposals for the DOT, Office of Small and
Disadvantaged Business Utilization's Small Business Transportation
Resource Center Program must contain the following 12 sections and
be organized in the following order:
1. Table of Contents
Identify all parts, sections and attachments of the application.
2. Application Summary
Provide a summary overview of the following:
The applicant's proposed SBTRC region and city and key
elements of the plan of action/strategy to achieve the SBTRC
objectives.
The applicant's relevant organizational experience and
capabilities.
3. Understanding of the Work
Provide a narrative which contains specific project information
as follows:
The applicant will describe its understanding of the
OSDBU's SBTRC program mission and the role of the applicant's
proposed SBTRC in advancing the program goals.
The applicant will describe specific outreach needs of
transportation-related small businesses in the applicant's region
and how the SBTRC will address the identified needs.
4. Approach and Strategy
Describe the applicant's plan of action/strategy for
conducting the program in terms of the tasks to be performed.
Describe the specific services or activities to be
performed and how these services/activities will be implemented.
Describe innovative and creative approaches to assist
small businesses to become successful transportation contractors and
increase their ability to access DOT contracting opportunities and
financial assistance programs.
Estimated direct costs, other than labor, to execute
the proposed strategy.
5. Linkages
Describe established relationships within the
geographic region and demonstrate the ability to coordinate and
establish effective networks with DOT grant recipients and local/
regional technical assistance agencies.
Describe the strategy to obtain support and
collaboration on SBTRC activities from DOT grantees and recipients,
transportation prime contractors and subcontractors, the SBA, U.S.
Department of Commerce's Minority Business Development Centers
(MBDCs), Service Corps of Retired Executives (SCORE), Procurement
Technical Assistance Centers (PTACs), Small Business Development
Centers (SBDCs), State DOTs, and State highway supportive services
contractors.
Describe the outreach strategy related to the
identified needs that can be successfully carried out within the
period of this agreement and a plan for involving the Planning
Committee in the execution of that strategy.
6. Organizational Capability
Describe recent and relevant past successful
performance in addressing the needs of small businesses,
particularly with respect to transportation-related small
businesses.
Describe internal technical, financial management, and
administrative resources.
Propose a plan for sufficient matching alternative
financial resources to fund the general and administrative costs of
the SBTRC.
7. Staff Capability and Experience
List proposed key personnel, their salaries and
proposed fringe benefit factors.
Describe the education, qualifications and relevant
experience of key personnel. Attach detailed resumes.
Proposed staffing plan. Describe how personnel are to
be organized for the program and how they will be used to accomplish
program objectives. Outline staff responsibilities, accountability
and a schedule for conducting program tasks.
8. Cost Proposal
Outline the total proposed cost of establishing and
administering the SBTRC in the applicant's geographical region for a
12 month period, inclusive of costs funded through alternative
matching resources. Clearly identify the portion of the costs funded
by OSDBU.
Provide a brief narrative linking the cost proposal to
the proposed strategy.
9. Proof of Tax Exempt Status
10. Assurances Signature Form
Complete Standard Form 424B ASSURANCES-NON-CONSTRUCTION PROGRAMS
identified as Attachment 1. SF424B may be downloaded from http://www.grants.gov/techlib/SF424B-V1.1.pdf.
11. Certification Signature Forms
Complete form DOTF2307-1 DRUG-FREE WORKPLACE ACT CERTIFICATION
FOR A GRANTEE OTHER THAN AN INDIVIDUAL and Form DOTF2308-1
CERTIFICATION REGARDING LOBBYING FOR CONTRACTS, GRANTS, LOANS, AND
COOPERATIVE AGREEMENTS identified as Attachment 2. The forms may be
downloaded from http://www.osdbu.dot.gov/financial/docs/Cert Drug-
Free DOT F 2307-1.pdf and http://www.osdbu.dot.gov/financial/docs/Cert Lobbying DOT F 2308-1.pdf.
[[Page 23325]]
12. Signed Conflict of Interest Statements
The statements must say that they, or members of their immediate
families, do not have a personal, business or financial interest in
any DOT-funded transportation projects, nor any relationships with
local or State transportation agencies that may have the appearance
of a conflict of interest.
13. Standard Form 424
Complete Standard Form 424 Application for Federal Assistance
identified as Attachment 3. SF424 can be downloaded from http://www.grants.gov/techlib/SF424-V2.0.pdf.
Please be sure that all forms have been signed by an authorized
official who can legally represent the organization.
Issued in Washington, DC on April 27, 2010.
Brandon Neal,
Director, Office of Small and Disadvantaged Business Utilization,
Office of the Secretary, U.S. Department of Transportation.
[FR Doc. 2010-10239 Filed 4-30-10; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-9X-P