[Federal Register Volume 75, Number 169 (Wednesday, September 1, 2010)]
[Notices]
[Pages 53667-53672]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2010-21905]
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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
Economic Development Administration
[Docket No.: 1008270400-0400-01]
Space Coast Regional Innovation Cluster Competition
AGENCY: Economic Development Administration (EDA), Department of
Commerce.
ACTION: Notice and request for applications.
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SUMMARY: This notice announces the upcoming availability of funding for
the Space Coast Regional Innovation Cluster (RIC) Competition under
EDA's Economic Adjustment Assistance (EAA) Program. EDA solicits
competitive applications to catalyze the advancement of Central
Florida's key regional industry clusters. Additional information can be
found at the Space Coast RIC Web site at http://www.eda.gov/SpaceCoastRIC. Applicants are advised to read carefully the Federal
funding opportunity (FFO) announcement for the Space Coast RIC
Competition. For a copy of the FFO, please see the Web sites listed
below under ``Electronic Access.''
DATES: To be considered timely, a completed application must be
transmitted to and time-stamped at http://www.grants.gov no later than
5 p.m. Eastern Time on October 15, 2010. Any application time-stamped
after 5 p.m. Eastern Time on October 15, 2010, will be considered non-
responsive and will not be considered for funding. EDA will conduct an
informational teleconference for prospective Space Coast RIC
Competition applicants at 2 p.m. Eastern Time on September 8, 2010. For
more information on the teleconference, please see the section titled
``Informational Teleconference'' below and section IV.F. of the FFO.
Winning applicants should expect to receive awards in January 2011,
subject to the availability of appropriations.
Application Submission Requirements: Applications must be submitted
electronically in accordance with the instructions provided at http://www.grants.gov. EDA will not accept facsimile transmissions of
applications and will accept e-mail transmission only in case of http://www.grants.gov systems issues as provided in section IV.E. of the FFO.
Applicants may access the application package by following the
instructions provided at http://www.grants.gov. The preferred
electronic file format for attachments is portable document format
(PDF); however, EDA will accept electronic files in Microsoft Word,
WordPerfect, or Microsoft Excel.
Applicants are strongly encouraged to start early and not to wait
until the approaching deadline before logging on and reviewing the
application instructions at http://www.grants.gov. Applicants must
register (which can take between three to five business days or as long
as four weeks if all steps are not completed correctly), designate one
or more Authorized Organizational Representatives (AOR) and ensure that
an AOR submits the application, and verify that the submission was
successful. Applicants should save and print written proof of an
electronic submission made at http://www.grants.gov. If problems occur,
the applicant is advised to (a) print any error message received, and
(b) call the http://www.grants.gov. Contact Center at 1-800-518-4726
for assistance. The following link lists useful resources: http://www.grants.gov/help/help.jsp. Also, the following link lists frequently
asked questions (FAQs): http://www.grants.gov/applicants/resources.jsp#faqs. If you do not find an answer to your question under
the ``Applicant FAQs,'' try consulting the ``Applicant User Guide'' or
contacting http://www.grants.gov via e-mail at [email protected] or
telephone at 1-800-518-4726. In addition, please read carefully section
IV.E. of the FFO to ensure your application is received by EDA and for
the alternative submission method in case of systems issues at http://www.grants.gov.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For additional information or for a
paper copy of the FFO, contact Philip Trader by telephone at 404-730-
3017 or via e-mail at [email protected].
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Program Information: The Space Coast RIC Competition is a fast-
track competitive grant process led by EDA, an agency within the U.S.
Department of Commerce (DOC). The goal of this competition is to
identify and fund promising job creation and economic development
initiatives aligned with regional cluster and competitiveness analyses
to sustain the coordinated economic development and diversification of
Florida's Space Coast region. Only applications that EDA determines
have successfully demonstrated this nexus will be considered responsive
under the Space Coast RIC Competition.
EDA will coordinate this competition with members of the
Presidential Taskforce on Space Industry Workforce and Economic
Development, including the National Aeronautics and Space
[[Page 53668]]
Administration (NASA), the Small Business Administration (SBA), the
Department of Labor (DOL), and other agencies, to leverage federal
resources and expertise for the benefit of Space Coast RIC Competition
winners.
The culmination of the Space Shuttle Program poses significant
economic challenges for Florida's Space Coast region. However, the
region is connected to a tremendous range of economic assets that can
serve as the foundation for future business activity. The region's
local economic development organizations, in coordination with Federal,
State, and local officials; Space Shuttle Program contractors; and
other key stakeholders, have worked collaboratively to develop
strategies for retaining aerospace workers in the region. Investing in
RICs is anticipated to promote a cohesive and reinforcing network of
economic activity. A strategic plan developed by Enterprise Florida, a
public-private partnership charged with promoting State-wide economic
development, identified eight significant economic clusters, five of
which this competition focuses on as having the potential to sustain
and spur economic growth in the Space Coast region:
(1) Aviation and Aerospace,
(2) Cleantech,
(3) Homeland Security/Defense,
(4) Information Technology, and
(5) Life Sciences.
Please see Enterprise Florida's full strategy entitled ``Roadmap to
Florida's Future,'' which is available at http://www.eflorida.com.
These promising RICs offer tremendous opportunities to not only
retain the Space Coast region's current workforce, but to accelerate
the diversification of the regional economy. These industry clusters
capitalize on the region's powerful and unique economic assets. By
encouraging applicants to think of creative and workable ways to
improve the region's economy, the Space Coast RIC Competition is
designed to catalyze the advancement of Central Florida's key RICs to
drive economic growth and job creation. This initiative will build on
and complement existing efforts and ensure collaboration with public,
private, and nonprofit partners in the region. Applicants are expected
to leverage regional strengths, capabilities, and competitive
advantages.
EDA's EAA Program, under which EDA expects to fund the Space Coast
RIC Competition, can provide a wide range of technical, planning, and
innovation infrastructure assistance, including technology transfer and
commercialization. The EAA Program is designed to respond adaptively to
pressing economic recovery issues and is well suited to help address
the challenges faced by Florida's Space Coast region. Assistance can
support the development of a strategy to alleviate economic dislocation
or support strategy implementation projects, such as innovation
infrastructure, entrepreneurial development support investments, and
revolving loan funds (RLFs). EDA encourages the submission of
applications focused on the development and implementation of long-
term, regionally based, collaborative economic development strategies.
In addition, EDA will regard applications for innovation infrastructure
that are substantively supported by such a strategy as more competitive
and worthy of funding than applications for infrastructure that are not
so supported.
EDA strongly encourages applicants to review the full report of the
Presidential Task Force on Space Industry Workforce and Economic
Development, which may be accessed, along with other materials, at
http://www.nasa.gov/offices/spacecoasttaskforce/home/index.html. More
information on EDA and its programs may be found at http://www.eda.dov
and EDA's Space Coast RIC webpage at http://www.eda.gov/SpaceCoastRIC.
Electronic Access: The FFO for the Space Coast RIC Competition is
available at http://www.grants.gov and at http://www.eda.gov. EDA has
created a Web page with additional information on the competition at
http://www.eda.gov/SpaceCoastRIC.
Funding Availability: For FY 2011, EDA anticipates allocating
$35,000,000 for the Space Coast RIC Competition. Funding for this
competition has been included in the Administration's FY 2011 budget
request and is contingent upon Congressional approval. Awards under
this competition will be made pursuant to grant or cooperative
agreements, and award funds are anticipated to be available until
expended. EDA expects to award applications that include significant
public-private capital investment, and individual awards may be as
large as $10,000,000. Please note that if Congress fails to provide the
appropriation, EDA will cancel this competition and make no awards.
Project periods are dependent on the nature of the proposed project
and the scope of work. For example, the project period for a
construction project may last for three or more years until
construction is completed satisfactorily, while a strategic planning or
technology transfer and commercialization project may allow for one to
three years for completion of the scope of work. EDA expects that all
projects will proceed expeditiously.
The project period and funding amounts for this competition are
subject to the availability of funds at the time of award, as well as
to DOC and EDA priorities at the time of award. The DOC and EDA will
not be held responsible for application preparation costs. Publication
of this notice does not obligate DOC or EDA to award any specific grant
or cooperative agreement or to obligate all or any part of available
funds. Although EDA expects to make grant awards, EDA may choose to
make awards via cooperative agreements based on the anticipated amount
of interaction between EDA and the recipient during the project period.
Statutory Authority: The authority for the EAA Program is section
209 of PWEDA (42 U.S.C. 3149). EDA's regulations, which will govern an
award made under the Space Coast RIC Competition, are codified at 13
CFR chapter III. The regulations and PWEDA are accessible at http://www.eda.gov/InvestmentsGrants/Lawsreg.xml.
Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance (CFDA) Number: 11.307,
Economic Adjustment Assistance.
Applicant Eligibility: Pursuant to PWEDA, eligible applicants for
and 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; and a public or private non-profit
organization or association.
Cost Sharing Requirement: In general, projects may be eligible for
up to an 80 percent Federal share, but as noted below, the amount of
local match committed will be a competitive factor. See section 204(a)
of PWEDA (42 U.S.C. 3144) and 13 CFR 301.4(b)(1). In the case of a(n)
(i) Indian Tribe, (ii) State (or political subdivision of a State) that
the Assistant Secretary determines has exhausted its effective taxing
and borrowing capacity, or (iii) non-profit organization that the
Assistant Secretary determines has exhausted its effective borrowing
capacity, the Assistant Secretary has the discretion to establish a
maximum EDA investment rate of up to 100 percent of the total project
cost. See sections 204(c)(1) and (2) of PWEDA (42 U.S.C. 3144) and 13
CFR 301.4(b)(5).
[[Page 53669]]
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. EDA will give preference to applications that include cash
contributions (over in-kind contributions) as the matching share. While
cash contributions are preferred, in-kind contributions, consisting of
contributions of space, equipment, or services, or forgiveness or
assumptions of debt, may provide the required 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, which may be determined by EDA's reasonable
interpretation of the statute. See 13 CFR 300.3. In addition, 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.
Nonrelocation: Applicants are advised that should an application be
selected for award, the recipient will be required to adhere to a
special award condition relating to EDA's nonrelocation policy as
follows:
In signing this award of financial assistance, Recipient(s)
attests that EDA funding is not intended by the Recipient to assist
its efforts to induce the relocation of existing jobs that are
located outside of its jurisdiction to within its jurisdiction in
competition with other jurisdictions for those same jobs. In the
event that EDA determines that its assistance was used for those
purposes, EDA retains the right to pursue appropriate enforcement
action in accord with the Standard Terms and Conditions of the
Award, including suspension of disbursements and termination of the
award for convenience or cause.
For purposes of ensuring that EDA assistance will not be used to
merely transfer jobs from one location in the United States to another,
each applicant must inform EDA of all employers that constitute primary
beneficiaries of the project assisted by EDA. EDA will consider an
employer to be a ``primary beneficiary'' if the applicant estimates
that such employer will create or save 100 or more permanent jobs as a
result of the investment assistance, provided that such employer also
is specifically named in the application as benefiting from the
project, or is or will be located in an EDA-assisted building, port,
facility, or industrial, commercial, or business park constructed or
improved in whole or in part with Investment Assistance prior to EDA's
final disbursement of funds. In smaller communities, EDA may extend
this policy to the relocation of 50 or more jobs.
Application Requirements: Please read carefully section IV. of the
FFO to help ensure your application is complete and timely received by
EDA. It is the sole responsibility of the applicant to ensure that the
appropriate application package is complete and transmitted to and
time-stamped at http://www.grants.gov no later than 5 p.m. Eastern Time
on October 15, 2010.
Construction Assistance: An applicant seeking assistance for a
project with construction components is required to complete and submit
the following:
Form ED-900 (Application for Investment Assistance). One
form per project is required. Please read the paragraphs below under
``Special Instructions for Completing Form ED-900'' carefully for
important information on submitting a complete Form ED-900.
One Form SF-424 (Application for Federal Assistance) from
each co-applicant, as applicable.
Form SF-424C (Budget Information--Construction Programs).
One form per project is required.
One Form SF-424D (Assurances--Construction Programs) from
each co-applicant, as applicable.
One EDA Construction Investments Additional Assurances
form (Exhibit D of Form ED-900) from each co-applicant, as applicable.
One Form CD-511 (Certification Regarding Lobbying) from
each co-applicant, as applicable.
Non-Construction Assistance: An applicant seeking assistance for a
project without construction components is required to complete and
submit the following:
Form ED-900 (Application for Investment Assistance). One
form per project is required. Please read the paragraphs below under
``Special Instructions for Completing Form ED-900'' carefully for
important information on submitting a complete Form ED-900.
One Form SF-424 (Application for Federal Assistance) from
each co-applicant, as applicable.
Form SF-424A (Budget Information--Non-Construction
Programs). One form per project is required.
One Form SF-424B (Assurances--Non-Construction Programs)
from each co-applicant, as applicable.
One EDA Capacity Building Investments Additional
Assurances form (Exhibit D of ED 900) from each co-applicant; as
applicable.
One Form CD-511 (Certification Regarding Lobbying) from
each co-applicant, as applicable.
In addition, applicants may be required to provide certain lobbying
information using Form SF-LLL (Disclosure of Lobbying Activities). Form
ED-900 provides detailed guidance to help the applicant assess whether
Form SF-LLL is required and how to access it. Please note that, if
applicable, one Form SF-LLL must be submitted for each co-applicant
that has used or plans to use non-Federal funds for lobbying in
connection with this competition. In addition, all non-profit
applicants and applicants that are first-time recipients of EDA and/or
DOC funding are required to provide required individual background
screening forms (Form CD-346) for a complete application, but please
note that EDA may require other applicants to submit Form CD-346 as
well to comply with DOC requirements. EDA will inform applicants if
this is required.
Special Instructions for Completing Form ED-900: Because of the
unique nature of this competition, applicants are advised that
modifications to the general application instructions for Form ED-900
are required for a complete application.
The ``Instructions for Electronic and Hardcopy Formats''
in Form ED-900 inform applicants to complete the form in Adobe Acrobat
Reader 8.1.1. or higher. Please note that the technical requirements of
http://www.grants.gov have changed, and applicants should be careful to
ensure they have downloaded and installed Adobe Acrobat Reader 8.1.3.
(instead of 8.1.1.) to complete the application package. Adobe Acrobat
Reader 8.1.3. may be downloaded at http://www.grants.gov/help/download_software.jsp.
In addition, there are a number of overall instructions and
admonitions given in Form ED-900 that Space Coast RIC Competition
applicants should disregard. Please read the instructions listed below:
Applicants should disregard the reference to hardcopy
submission in Form ED-900. As noted in this notice, the only method for
application submission is through http://www.grants.gov.
Space Coast RIC Competition applicants also should
disregard the statement in the ``Note on EDA's Application Process''
that advises applicants that EDA will request the listed materials only
after a project has
[[Page 53670]]
been determined to merit ``further consideration.''
For the Space Coast RIC Competition, all documentation that Form
ED-900 advises may be submitted at a later date must be submitted by
the competition deadline stated above under DATES. These items may be
uploaded as attachments to the application package. The following list
further details the required submissions for each type of EDA project.
For all types of projects, the following are required:
Projects must be consistent with the region's
Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy (CEDS) or alternate EDA-
approved strategic planning document. See section A.3. of Form ED-900,
which requires applicants to identify the relevant plan. If EDA does
not already have the applicable plan, the applicant may be required to
provide it. If you have any questions about this requirement, please
contact the agency contact listed above under FOR FURTHER INFORMATION
CONTACT and in section VIII. of the FFO.
Letters of commitment to document non-EDA funding (see
section A.9. of Form ED-900).
Form CD-346 (Applicant for Funding Assistance) for each
key individual of the applicant and co-applicant organization(s), if
the organization is a non-profit or is a first-time recipient of EDA or
DOC funding.
For construction projects only, the following are required:
Maps of the project site (U.S. Geological Survey (USGS)
map(s) and Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) floodplain map
(if applicable)) with project components and beneficiaries noted (see
section A.2. of Form ED-900).
Letters of commitment and assurances of compliance
(Exhibit A to Form ED-900) from private beneficiaries of the proposed
project (see section B.5. of Form ED-900).
Comments from the metropolitan area review/clearinghouse
agency (see section M.1. of Form ED-900).
A legal opinion and other documentation, as necessary,
verifying the applicant's answers to questions regarding project
ownership, operation, maintenance, and management (see section M.6. of
Form ED-900).
A legal opinion regarding any use of eminent domain.
Applicants should contact the agency contact listed above under FOR
FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT and in section VIII. of the FFO for
guidance on this requirement.
Any lease(s) encumbering the project property, if
applicable. The applicant may provide lease copies.
A preliminary engineering report (all required elements
are listed in section M.3. of Form ED-900; special formatting is not
required).
An environmental narrative that will enable EDA to comply
with its National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) responsibilities. An
environmental narrative outline that details requires components may be
accessed at http://www.eda.gov/PDF/single_app_narrrative_111008.pdf.
Applicants should include Appendix A to the environmental narrative
signed by each co-applicant, as applicable.
Project sign-off/approval from U.S. Army Corps of
Engineers and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, if applicable. Note
the environmental narrative instructions (provided in the link above)
state that approval comments from regulatory agencies should be
obtained and submitted as an attachment to the environmental narrative.
If an applicant has initiated environmental review processes, but is
unable to receive final approval by the competition deadline, EDA will
accept a letter from the applicable regulatory agency stating that the
project has conditional approval. In such circumstances, EDA will
include any conditions as part of the award. If the application does
not include these sign-off/approvals and EDA subsequently determines
that these are required, the applicant will be required to obtain and
submit them after the competition deadline.
Copies of any other environmental studies, if available.
Comments from the State Clearinghouse in compliance with
Executive Order 12372, ``Intergovernmental Review of Federal
Programs.'' Detailed information on the State Clearinghouse process can
be accessed at http://www.dep.state.fl.us/secretary/oip/state_clearinghouse/manual2.htm.
Documented approval from the State Historic Preservation
Officer (SHPO), as applicable. Note that if the applicant has initiated
the consultation process, but the SHPO is unable to give final approval
by the competition deadline, EDA will accept a letter from the SHPO
stating that the project has conditional approval or that the applicant
has satisfactorily initiated the consultation process required under
section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act. EDA, after
compliance with requirements for consultation with federally recognized
Indian Tribes, may require applicants to participate in Tribal
consultation, as necessary. EDA will include any conditions from the
conditional approval or consultation process as part of the award.
For Revolving Loan Fund projects only, the following is required:
RLF Plan for the RLF's financial management. See EDA's
regulation at 13 CFR 307.9 for more information on requirements for RLF
Plans.
For non-profit applicants only, the following are required:
Certificate of good standing from the State in which the
organization is incorporated.
A copy of the organization's current Articles of
Incorporation and By-Laws.
Resolution (or letter) from a general purpose subdivision
of State government acknowledging that the organization is acting in
cooperation with officials of that political subdivision.
Form CD-346 (Applicant for Funding Assistance) for each
key individual of the non-profit, which includes the executive
director, project manager, chief financial manager, and any other
person or entity who has authority to speak for and/or commit the
organization in the management of an award and/or expend funds.
Informational Teleconference: EDA will hold an informational
teleconference for the Space Coast RIC Competition on September 8,
2010, at 2 p.m. Eastern Time. This teleconference will be used to
provide general competition and application submission information and
answer participant questions.
To ensure that enough incoming lines are available for each caller,
interested parties planning to participate on the teleconference must
register no later than 5 p.m. Eastern Time on September 7, 2010. To
register, please send an e-mail to [email protected] with ``Space
Coast RIC Competition Teleconference Registration'' in the subject
line, along with the names and addresses of the potential applicant(s).
In addition, provide the name and title of the telephone participant
along with the participant's telephone number and e-mail address. The
telephone number and pass code for the teleconference will be provided
upon receipt of registration.
Please be advised that the informational teleconference will be
audio-taped and the actual recording (or a transcript) is to be made
available for the benefit of prospective applicants unable to
participate. Prospective applicants who choose to participate in the
teleconference are deemed to consent to the taping. A recording of the
teleconference may be accessed by calling 1-866-462-8979 and entering
the pass code 0908. This recording will be available between 6 p.m.
Eastern Time on September 8, 2010, and 5 p.m.
[[Page 53671]]
Eastern Time on October 16, 2010, the day after the competition
deadline.
Intergovernmental Review: Applications for assistance under EDA's
programs are subject to the State review requirements imposed by
Executive Order 12372, ``Intergovernmental Review of Federal
Programs.''
Evaluation and Selection Procedures:
1. Responsiveness Review.
Staff in EDA's Atlanta regional office, which serves the State of
Florida, will review all applications for responsiveness. Applications
that are ineligible for EDA funding or that do not contain all forms
and required documentation listed in section IV. of the FFO may be
deemed non-responsive and excluded from further consideration. EDA
expects all applicants to complete and include all required forms and
documentation. However, EDA reserves the right to forward timely and
otherwise complete applications that may contain a non-substantive
technical deficiency to the Interagency Review Panel for further
consideration. In addition, staff in the Atlanta Regional Office will
conduct a statutory and regulatory compliance review for each
responsive application and an initial merit review under the evaluation
criteria set out below and in section V.A. of the FFO, both of which
will be provided to the Interagency Review Panel.
2. Interagency Federal Investment Review Panel.
Upon completion of the responsiveness review, a Federal interagency
investment review panel (Interagency Review Panel) that will be
composed of senior officials from EDA and other federal agencies, which
shall include NASA, SBA, and DOL, will review and evaluate all
responsive applications according to the criteria set out below. The
Interagency Review Panel will either forward its ranked list and any
comments to the Selecting Official (defined below), or identify any
deficiencies in the review process and convene a new EDA responsiveness
review panel in the Atlanta Regional Office to restart the selection
process.
3. Selecting Official and Selecting Factors.
Under this notice, the Regional Director in the Atlanta Regional
Office is the Selecting Official. The Selecting Official may follow the
recommendations of the Interagency Review Panel; however, the Selecting
Official retains the discretion not to make a selection, or to select
an application out of order for any of the following reasons:
a. Availability of program funding,
b. A determination that the application better meets the overall
objectives of sections 2 and 209 of PWEDA (42 U.S.C. 3121 and 3149),
c. A determination that the application is more responsive to
programmatic and/or policy considerations,
d. The applicant's non-compliance with statutory and regulatory
requirements, including PWEDA, EDA's regulations set out at 13 CFR
chapter III, and DOC regulations set out at 15 CFR parts 14 or 24, as
applicable, or
e. The applicant's performance under previous federal financial
assistance awards.
If the Selecting Official makes a selection out of order, he will
document the rationale for the decision in writing. The Selecting
Official will submit his decision to EDA headquarters for review before
making the final selection.
Evaluation Criteria: The Interagency Review Panel will evaluate
applications competitively based on the following criteria, which will
be weighted equally:
1. Collaborative Regional Innovation. Initiatives that support the
development and growth of Central Florida's Aviation and Aerospace,
Cleantech, Homeland Security/Defense, Information Technology, and Life
Sciences industry clusters. Initiatives must engage stakeholders;
facilitate collaboration among urban, suburban and rural (including
Tribal) areas; provide stability for economic development through long-
term intergovernmental and public/private collaboration; and support
the growth of existing and emerging industries.
2. Public/Private Partnerships. Investments that use both public
and private sector resources and leverage complementary investments by
other government/public entities and/or non-profits.
3. Global Competitiveness. Investments that support high-growth
businesses and innovation-based entrepreneurs to expand and compete in
global markets.
4. Environmentally Sustainable Development. Investments that
encompass best practices in ``environmentally sustainable
development,'' broadly defined, to include projects that enhance
environmental quality and develop and implement green products,
processes, and buildings as part of the green economy.
5. Economically Distressed and Underserved Communities. Investments
that strengthen diverse communities that have suffered disproportionate
economic and job losses and/or are rebuilding to become more
competitive in the global economy.
6. Total Job Creation. Investments that demonstrate a clear,
comprehensive, and effective strategy for the recruitment, training,
placement, and retention of a skilled workforce.
7. Implementation Schedule. Investments with demonstrated capacity
to be implemented quickly and effectively, accelerating positive
economic impacts.
8. Feasibility of Budget and Value to the Federal Government.
Investments that demonstrate a high degree of local commitment through
the amount and type of match committed. EDA also will evaluate the
expected benefits of the proposed scope of work in light of the goals
of this competition and the cost to the Federal Government.
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
February 11, 2008 (73 FR 7696), are applicable to this competition.
Paperwork Reduction Act: This document contains collection-of-
information requirements subject to the Paperwork Reduction Act (PRA).
The use of Form ED-900 (Application for Investment Assistance) has been
approved by the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) under the Control
Number 0610-0094. The use of Forms SF-424 (Application for Financial
Assistance), SF-424A (Budget Information--Non-Construction Programs),
SF-424B (Assurances--Non-Construction Programs), SF-424C (Budget
Information--Construction Programs), SF-424D (Assurances--Construction
Programs), and Form SF-LLL (Disclosure of Lobbying Activities) has been
approved under OMB Control Numbers 4040-0004, 0348-0044, 4040-0007,
4040-0008, 4040-0009, and 0348-0046 respectively. The Form CD-346
(Applicant for Funding Assistance) is approved under OMB Control Number
0605-0001. 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 (Regulatory Planning and Review): This notice
has been determined to be not significant for purposes of Executive
Order 12866.
[[Page 53672]]
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: August 27, 2010.
Sean Cartwright,
Chief of Staff.
[FR Doc. 2010-21905 Filed 8-31-10; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-24-P