2015 ris program ffo final 20150803.pdf

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Announcement of Federal Funding Opportunity FY2015 Regional Innovation Strategies Program

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

Federal Agency Name Economic Development Administration (EDA), U.S. Department of Commerce

(DOC)

Funding Opportunity Title FY2015 Regional Innovation Strategies Program

Announcement Type and Date

Initial FY2015 Federal Funding Opportunity (FFO) announcement publishing EDA’s application submission requirements and review procedures for applications received under EDA’s Regional Innovation Strategies (RIS) Program as authorized by the Stevenson-Wydler Technology Innovation Act of 1980 §27, 15 U.S.C. §3722 (2006 & Supp. IV 2010), as amended by the Revitalize American Manufacturing and Innovation Act of 2014 §705, Pub. L.

No. 113-235 (Dec. 16, 2014) [hereinafter SWTIA §27], effective August 4, 2015

Funding Opportunity Number EDA-HDQ-OIE-2015-2004566

Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance (CDFA) Numbers

11.020 Cluster Grants

Dates

The deadline for receipt of applications is 11:59 P.M. EASTERN TIME ON MONDAY, OCTOBER 5, 2015. Applications received after this deadline will not be reviewed or considered. Applications will only be accepted electronically through www.grants.gov (Grants.gov). Applicants are advised to carefully read the application and submission information provided in Section 4 of this FFO.

Funding Opportunity Description

EDA is committed to fostering connected, innovation-centric economic regions which support commercialization and entrepreneurship. See SWTIA §27.

Working with regions across the country to develop regional innovation strategies, including regional innovation clusters, is a Strategic Goal of the DOC’s FY 2014-2018 Strategic Plan and a keystone of the Secretary of Commerce’s commitment to building globally competitive regions. As part of this strategy, funding is available for capacity-building activities that include Proof of Concept Centers and Commercialization Centers as well as scaling of existing commercialization programs and centers; and supporting opportunities to close the funding gap for early-stage companies. Under the Regional Innovation Strategies Program, EDA is soliciting applications for two separate competitions:

1. 2015 i6 Challenge Grants; and

2. Seed Fund Support (SFS) Grants.

Applicants may, but are not required to, submit proposals for more than one competition under the RIS Program.

Note that, except for the 2014 RIS Program, previous grants and competitions administered by EDA have been governed by the Public Works and Economic ii

Development Act of 1965, as amended. 42 U.S.C. §3121 et seq. [hereinafter PWEDA]. The 2015 RIS Program is authorized under SWTIA §27, which does not include a requirement that grants be focused on economically distressed communities.

Eligible Applicants

EDA is not authorized to provide grants or cooperative agreements to individuals. Requests from such entities will not be considered for funding.

Eligible applicants for EDA financial assistance under this FFO include:

1. A State;

2. An Indian tribe;

3. A city or other political subdivision of a State;

4. An entity that—

a. is a nonprofit organization, an institution of higher education, a public-private partnership, a science or research park, a Federal laboratory, or an economic development organization or similar entity; and

b. has an application that is supported by a State or a political subdivision of a State; or

5. A consortium of any of the entities described in subparagraphs (1) through (4).

Informational Webinar An informational webinar for this FFO is available for viewing at www.eda.gov.

Award Notification Subject to the availability of funding, successful applicants should expect to receive grant award notification approximately 120 days from the application closing date set forth in this FFO.

FULL ANNOUNCEMENT TEXT

FY2015 REGIONAL INNOVATION STRATEGIES PROGRAM

Executive Summary ........................................................................................................................................ i

1. Funding Opportunity Description

a. Overview

b. FY2015 i6 Challenge Grants

c. Seed Fund Support (SFS) Grants

d. Statutory Authorities for the Regional Innovation Strategies (RIS) Program

2. Award Information

a. Available Funding Under this Announcement

b. Type of Funding Instrument Used; Project Periods

3. Eligibility Information

a. Eligible Applicants

b. Cost-Sharing or Matching

4. Application and Submission Information

a. How to Obtain an Application Package

b. Content and Form of Application Submission

c. Deadlines for Submission

d. Means of Submission

e. Optional Pre-Submission Technical Review

5. Application Review and Selection Process

a. Evaluation Criteria

b. Output and Outcome Measures

c. Review and Selection Process

6. Award Administration

a. Award Notification

b. Administrative and National Policy Requirements

c. Reporting Requirements

d. Regulations, Administrative Requirements, and Cost Principles

e. EDA’s Non-Relocation Policy

f. OMB Uniform Guidance Audit Requirements

7. Other Information

a. Freedom of Information Act Disclosure

b. Past Performance and Non-Compliance with Award Provisions

c. Restrictions Governing Making Grants to Corporations Convicted of Felony Criminal Violations and/or Unpaid Federal Tax Liabilities

d. Environmental and Historic Preservation Requirements

e. Intergovernmental Review

f. Implementing the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)

8. EDA Contact Information

9. Instructions for Application Submission via Grants.gov

a. Register Early and Submit Early

b. AOR Requirement

c. Field Limitations and Special Characters

d. Verify That Your Submission Was Successful

e. Grants.gov Systems Issues Appendix A: Representation by Corporations Regarding an Unpaid Delinquent Tax Liability or a Felony Conviction Under Any Federal Law Appendix B: Technology Readiness Levels Scale Appendix C: Optional Checklist-Style Guide for Required Documents

1. For States, Indian Tribes, Cities, and Other Political Subdivisions of States

2. For Nonprofit Organizations, Institutions of Higher Learning, Public-Private Partnerships, Science or Research Parks, Federal Laboratories, Economic Development or Similar Organizations

1. FUNDING OPPORTUNITY DESCRIPTION

a. Overview

This Federal Funding Opportunity (FFO) announcement sets out the application submission and review procedures for the Economic Development Administration (EDA) Regional Innovation Strategies (RIS) Program.

Regional economic vitality is best accomplished through multi-stakeholder partnerships and collaborations that draw upon public, corporate, university, nonprofit, and philanthropic resources. Regional innovation and entrepreneurial ecosystems—which have a culture of idea generation, leadership, trust, openness to foraging new partnerships with disparate parties, entrepreneurial development, investment capital, and a large pool of accomplished managers—often fuel these partnerships and collaborations. Robust, sustainable regional innovation ecosystems help drive national competitiveness.

EDA is committed to fostering connected, innovation-centric economic sectors which support commercialization and entrepreneurship as described in the Stevenson-Wydler Technology Innovation Act of 1980 §27, 15 U.S.C. §3722 (2006 & Supp. IV 2010), as amended by the Revitalize American Manufacturing and Innovation Act of 2014 §705, Pub. L. No. 113-235 (Dec. 16, 2014) [hereinafter SWTIA §27]. The Department of Commerce (DOC) FY 2014-2018 Strategic Plan sets forth the strategic goal of working within and across ecosystems throughout the country to develop regional innovation strategies, including regional innovation clusters. This comprises building public and private capacity to invent, improve, and commercialize new products and services. Regional innovation strategies are a keystone of the Secretary of Commerce’s commitment to building globally competitive regions.

As part of this strategy, funding is available for capacity-building activities that include Proof of Concept Centers (POCCs) and Commercialization Centers (CCs) (as well as scaling of existing commercialization programs and centers) and for operational support for organizations that provide essential early-stage funding to startups. Under the RIS Program, EDA is soliciting applications for two separate competitions:

the 2015 i6 Challenge; and Seed Fund Support (SFS) Grants.

Applicants may, but are not required to, submit proposals for more than one competition under the RIS Program.

Note that, except for the 2014 RIS Program, previous grants and competitions administered by EDA have been governed by the Public Works and Economic Development Act of 1965, as amended. 42 U.S.C.

§3121 et seq. [hereinafter PWEDA]. The authorization for the 2015 RIS Program is provided under SWTIA §27, which does not restrict the focus of grantees’ projects to economically distressed communities.

b. FY2015 i6 Challenge Grants

The i6 Challenge is a leading national initiative designed to support the creation of centers for innovation and entrepreneurship that increase the commercialization of innovations, ideas, intellectual property, and research into viable companies.

POCCs and CCs can be physical or virtual, existing or new. Existing POCCs and CCs need not have previously received EDA funds to be considered for this award.

Newly with this FFO, EDA strongly encourages applications for and will provide additional consideration to programs that support the development, creation, or expansion of POCCs and CCs in rural communities or with primary service areas focused on rural communities which accelerate innovation-led economic development in pursuit of a vibrant innovative economy and economic growth. Such a project should focus on driving economic development in rural communities by building capacity for innovation and entrepreneurship, thereby enabling individuals, firms, and communities to achieve greater prosperity and quality of life.

i. How Are Proof-of-Concept Centers (POCCs) and Commercialization Centers (CCs) Distinguishable?

The following definitions are provided for the purposes of this FFO:

A. Proof of Concept Center

A POCC is a center or program (physical or virtual) which works with very early stage innovations, ideas, intellectual property, and research to provide documented evidence that a product or service can be successful. Technology Readiness Levels (TRLs) are a standardized system, categorizing the status of a technology innovation, or its readiness for commercialization1. A POCC typically works with innovations from conception to TRLs 3 – 6 to include consideration for viability of the technology (i.e., seeking to answer whether this can be done) as well as market potential and financial viability (i.e., seeking to answer whether this should be done).

B. Commercialization Center

A CC is a center or program (physical or virtual) which works with later stage innovations, ideas, intellectual property, and research to complete and refine the innovation from TRLs 3 – 6 and fine-tune its market opportunity while supporting the steps toward becoming a viable or expanded business.

ii. Strategies and Goals of POCCs and CCs

POCCs and CCs—including former RIS Program and i6 grantees2—function as critical nodes for translating cutting-edge innovation into high-growth entrepreneurship in their regions. They incorporate a range of programs and services in support of innovation-based, high growth entrepreneurship and acceleration of startups through services such as technology advisement and market evaluation, business planning, mentorship, and access to early stage capital. The most successful POCCs and CCs leverage experiences of successful entrepreneurs and business executives, paying close attention to fostering a community with a mindset for and culture of innovation.

EDA expects to fund proposals that create or expand innovative POCCs and CCs that will in turn develop the applicant’s capacity to consistently and regularly create high-growth entrepreneurial ventures that contribute to economic growth in the United States. Applicants must demonstrate how they will leverage regional strengths, capabilities, and competitive advantages. All applications should avoid any duplication of existing efforts, or supplanting existing or budgeted efforts. Funding for the i6 Challenge will reward proposals that bring or significantly enhance a culture of innovation and high-growth entrepreneurship to their region.

1 The definitions of the TRLs used by EDA for the purposes of this FFO can be found in Appendix C of this FFO. Other TRL definitions include those developed by the Department of Defense, see http://www.acq.osd.mil/chieftechnologist/publications/docs/TRA2011.pdf, by the Department of Energy, see https://www.directives.doe.gov/directives-documents/400-series/0413.3-EGuide-04a, and by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration, see, e.g., http://www.hq.nasa.gov/office/codeq/trl/trl.pdf, http://esto.nasa.gov/files/trl_definitions.pdf.

2 See http://www.eda.gov/oie/ris/i6/ (linking to information about, including lists of grantees of, the 2014 RIS Program and prior i6 Challenges).

iii. Requirements for i6 Challenge Participants

The i6 Challenge will provide funding to invest in the development, creation, or expansion of POCCs and CCs which accelerate innovation-led economic development in pursuit of a vibrant innovative economy and economic growth. POCCs and CCs can be physical or virtual, existing or new. Existing POCCs and CCs need not have previously received EDA funds to be considered for this award. However, while entities that have completed the performance period of a previous i6 Challenge grant are eligible, entities that are or plan to be operating within the performance period of a previously-awarded i6 Challenge grant at the time of the award of a grant under this FFO are not eligible. To be eligible under the i6 Challenge, a proposed project must focus on driving economic development by building capacity for innovation and entrepreneurship, thereby enabling individuals, firms, and communities to achieve greater prosperity and quality of life. Specifically, applications must focus on one or more of the following project outputs:

A. Innovation

Projects that nurture both innovation broadly and market-based applications of the results of that innovation specifically, through:

The creation of a broad-based, expansive culture of idea generation and the useful application of that innovation, including converting research and development at universities and research centers into commercially viable enterprises;

The engagement of a diverse set of researchers, innovators, and practitioners supporting commercialization of inventions, ideas or research (where diversity may be defined by population demographics, intellectual approach, innovation, background, or experience); and

The engagement with industry professionals, investors, and successful entrepreneurs with innovation at its earliest stages to create the best climate, team, and opportunities for an emerging, high-growth startup or acceleration of an existing startup.

B. Entrepreneurship

Projects that develop a large number of high-growth entrepreneurs within a region and that create an ecosystem for those entrepreneurs to experiment with and to commercialize their innovations, as determined by:

Support of educational programs or work experiences to prepare students3 and researchers (including those from populations underrepresented in entrepreneurship) for entrepreneurial challenges and work environments; and

Growth of the innovation and entrepreneurial ecosystem to ensure a steady stream of high-growth startups to drive job and value creation in the primary service area, community, and region.

C. Regional Connectivity

Projects that connect the community of economic development and commercialization resources through:

Special events to showcase inventions, ideas, research, technologies, and entrepreneurs to promote the exchange of ideas that leads to the formation of new collaborations and ultimately to the commercialization of innovations;

3 A student is defined as an individual enrolled in a class or program. This definition includes, but is not limited to, individuals enrolled at colleges, at universities, and in non-degree granting programs.

Efforts to forge new and reinforce existing relationships among an inclusive group of regional stakeholders, including stakeholders that may not have existing or strong relationships with the innovation and entrepreneurship community; and

Engagement with local business associations and government to ensure that high growth entrepreneurs and companies are more fully integrated into the local business community, and that their growing needs are addressed by a robust support network that includes specialized and readily-accessed technical assistance, access to capital, business associations and government officials.

D. Commercialization of Research

Projects that convert ideas, research, or prototypes into viable products and services that can be monetized and brought to market in a financially manageable and rapid manner, as defined by:

Incorporation of mentors, industry catalysts, and entrepreneurs-in-residence that provide advisory services and that link technology and researchers to external networks;

Access to seed funding to support the commercialization of promising research through networks created by the organization or by outside funding networks and tools;

Assistance with market evaluation, business planning, and business opportunity articulation; and Creation of processes that integrate scientific review with market potential to greatly accelerate the best ideas from lab to market.

iv. i6 Challenge Examples

The following are examples of regions and economic ecosystems that illustrate how the establishment of an innovation-focused POCC or CC can become the catalyst for economic growth. Please note that these scenarios are informational only and are intended to provide applicants with a clearer picture of how the i6 Challenge is intended to function. THESE EXAMPLES IN NO WAY LIMIT THE RANGE OF POTENTIAL PROPOSED

PROJECTS, COMBINATIONS OF ELIGIBLE APPLICANTS, OR ANCHORING ORGANIZATIONS; EDA WELCOMES

INNOVATIVE PROPOSALS. Links to descriptions of past recipients can be found at http://www.eda.gov/oie/ris/i6/2014/#i6.

A. Example 1

A region benefits from the presence of large, multi-national corporations and a set of academic institutions.

Pressures of globalization, which has introduced more advanced products and a resulting loss of sales, are leading local companies to grow their businesses elsewhere due to a lack of skilled workforce and in order to be closer to innovation hubs. A CC that is established in this region with the support and partnership of the corporations, components of its supply chain, the academic institutions, etc. provides technical and business support for a steady stream of startup companies by building a globally competitive industrial commons in the community. Additionally, the CC works closely with the corporate and manufacturing communities around targeted, job-driven workforce skills to ensure that the regional workforce meets the needs of both the startups and the corporations.

B. Example 2

A region has identified Federal research laboratories and a strong entrepreneurial ecosystem as key local assets. However, most or all entrepreneurial ventures associated with the laboratories have largely clustered around the laboratories or move themselves to traditional innovation hubs. A regional incubator with a strong community of entrepreneurs forms partnerships with these labs to bring entrepreneurs and innovators together to explore novel ways to accelerate the commercial success of their technologies.

C. Example 3

A consortium of community colleges that serve rural areas has an entrepreneurial student body but is underperforming in student- or graduate-led startup companies. The consortium seeks to create a CC to evolve the entrepreneurial and idea-generation culture on campus into a culture that creates sustainable businesses by creating the processes and knowledge bases for developing ideas and innovation into companies and organizations and by connecting investors, successful entrepreneurs, and corporations looking for cutting edge ideas, business models, and technologies to entrepreneurial students.

D. Example 4

A region has seen the decline of the historic industries (such as manufacturing or agriculture) that drove its development and growth. A large research institution that is located in a regional hub but that serves a much broader rural region develops a plan to drive innovation and entrepreneurship in its rural service areas to revitalize those areas through innovation and entrepreneurship. The institution establishes a POCC with physical locations in or virtual connections to rural areas that provides technical and business support for regionally-focused innovative solutions that help solve local problems and that encourage exporting as a strategic growth opportunity while fostering entrepreneurship to create jobs.

c. Seed Fund Support (SFS) Grants

An important element of a regional innovation strategy is the availability of funding for early-stage companies. Often, taking an idea or innovation from conception to market requires hard-to-find capital.

Because of this, it is referred to as one of many “valley of death” points in the entrepreneurial process.

EDA is looking to provide funding for technical assistance to support feasibility, planning, formation, or launch of cluster-based seed capital funds to be deployed in support of innovation-based startups with a potential for high growth. While EDA funds cannot capitalize a seed fund (i.e., EDA funds and matching funds cannot be used to invest in startups), the technical assistance funded by EDA can jumpstart the creation or expansion of a seed fund, including but not limited to funding operations to capitalize a fund, to market the fund to potential startups and investors, to educate potential seed fund investors about the importance and advantages of seed funds, and to evaluate potential investments in startup companies.

While the Small Business Administration’s (SBA’s) Small Business Investment Company (SBIC) program funds ultimately pass to startup companies, funding awarded through the SFS Grants will instead seek to create sustainable financing institutions for those startups. Applicants may request funding to support seed capital funding programs and direct supporting programs as outlined below. EDA will collaborate with the SBA during the merit review process to evaluate the extent to which a SFS Grant applicant’s proposed project or program complements other federal economic development programs in order to avoid the duplication of existing programs.

i. Requirements for Seed Fund Support (SFS) Grants

Funding may be used for technical assistance, feasibility studies, or marketing related to the operation of equity-based seed capital funds or related programs that meet the following criteria:

A. Early-Stage Capital Support for Innovation-Based, Growth-Oriented Companies

The program must focus on new businesses (generally less than three years old) that are commercializing or using an innovative technology in the development of their product or service. Companies must also have demonstrated potential for high-growth and include performance targets for job creation.

B. Plan for Sustainability

Programs must include sustainability plans based on taking equity stakes in the businesses that the program supports and in which the program invests.

C. Demonstrated Ecosystem and Downstream Support

Ties into the community are a critical element of success for nascent companies. Successful seed-level funding programs provide for further development of companies they invest in by building and maintaining connections to support organizations such as commercialization centers, incubators and other training programs. Additionally important are connections with down-stream funding sources to support the next phase of growth and capital needs of portfolio companies.

ii. Seed Fund Support (SFS) Grants Examples

The following are examples of the types of projects that could be funded through this competition. Please note that these scenarios are informational only and are intended to provide applicants with a clearer picture of how this opportunity is intended to function. These examples in no way limit the range of potential proposed projects, combinations of eligible applicants, or anchoring organizations. Links to descriptions of past recipients can be found at http://www.eda.gov/oie/ris/i6/2014/#scf.

A. Example 1

A consortium of local and regional economic development organizations and municipalities is interested in generating more innovation around a particular challenge in the region. It offers a “call for startups” to develop creative solutions with a demonstrated strong case for commercial potential, and it wants to offer seed-based funding and startup support as part of a competition. The proposal requests funding for personnel to set up, build, market, and advertise the fund.

B. Example 2

A state or municipality has established a seed fund and desires to improve the probability of greater outcomes by providing technical assistance to the companies in which they invest (the seed fund’s portfolio companies). It requests a grant to provide specific assistance to their portfolio companies focused on sustainability and growth or technical assistance to establish and provide seed capital funding to startups.

C. Example 3

A regional foundation focused on preventative health care for underserved communities would like to see more startups creating solutions for specific problems in its domain. It requests funding to conduct a study to determine size, scope, and feasibility of the creation of a seed fund to support startups that are innovating in this target space.

D. Example 4

A consortium of local and regional stakeholders has recognized that, while there is a gap in early-stage funding for startup companies in the community, there are a significant number of high-net-worth individuals who typically make up seed fund investors. The consortium requests funding to create an education and outreach program to these high-net-worth individuals to increase their participation in regionally-based seed funds and to catalyze the creation of additional seed funds in the region.

d. Statutory Authorities for the Regional Innovation Strategies (RIS) Program

The statutory authority for the RIS Program is SWTIA §27.

2. AWARD INFORMATION

a. Available Funding Under this Announcement

The funding periods and funding amounts referenced in this notice 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. Neither DOC nor EDA will be held responsible for application preparation costs. Publication of this announcement does not obligate DOC or EDA to award any specific grant or cooperative agreement or to obligate all or any part of available funds. Applications for renewal or supplementation of existing projects are eligible to compete with applications for new awards under each of these three competitions. Subject to the availability of funding, EDA expects to allocate funds as follows:

i. FY2015 i6 Challenge Grants

Up to $8,000,000 for the FY2015 i6 Challenge, from which EDA expects to award approximately 16 or more grants each valued at a maximum of $500,000. Of the $8,000,000 in total i6 Challenge funding, EDA expects to award up to approximately $2,500,000 to applications that offer services primarily to rural communities.

A. Rural Communities

For the purposes of this FFO, a “rural community” or “rural area” is any area OTHER THAN (i) a city or town that has a population greater than 50,000 inhabitants; and (ii) the urbanized area contiguous with and adjacent to such a city or town. The applicant organization need not necessarily be located in a rural community or rural areas, but, to qualify as offering services primarily to rural communities, a program or project must demonstrate that substantial benefits will accrue to individuals and firms that reside in rural communities.

ii. Seed Fund Support (SFS) Grants

Up to $2,000,000 for SFS Grants, from which EDA expects to award approximately 8 or more grants each valued at a maximum of $250,000.

b. Type of Funding Instrument Used; Project Periods

Subject to the availability of funds, EDA may award grants or cooperative agreements to eligible applicants to help support activities. If the funding instrument to be used is a cooperative agreement, the nature of EDA’s “substantial involvement” will generally be collaboration between EDA and the recipient on the scope of work. Additional forms of substantial involvement that may arise are described in Chapter 5.C of the DOC Grants and Cooperative Agreements Manual, which is available at http://www.osec.doc.gov/oam/grants_management/policy/documents/FINAL Master DOC Grants Manual 2013 (03.01.13)_b.pdf.

Project periods are dependent on the type of project, scope of work, and the EDA program under which the grant for the project is awarded. See Section 6(a) of this FFO for award notification information.

For the i6 Challenge, the anticipated award will have an initial project period of three years with an estimated start date on or about 120 days after the closing date of this FFO.

For the SFS Grants competition, the anticipated award will have an initial project period of two years with an estimated start date on or about 120 days after the closing date of this FFO.

EDA expects all projects to proceed efficiently and expeditiously, and EDA expects applicants to clearly document a reasonable and appropriate timeline for the start and completion of the proposed scope of work.

3. ELIGIBILITY INFORMATION

a. Eligible Applicants

EDA is not authorized to provide grants or cooperative agreements to individuals, and such requests will not be considered for funding.

Pursuant to SWTIA §27, eligible applicants for and eligible recipients of EDA investment assistance under this FFO include:

A State;

An Indian tribe;

A city or other political subdivision of a State;

An entity that— is a nonprofit organization, an institution of higher education, a public-private partnership, a science or research park, a Federal laboratory, or an economic development organization or similar entity; and has an application that is supported by a State or a political subdivision of a State; or A consortium of any of the immediately aforementioned entities.

Please note that, in evaluating applications, EDA will provide preference to organizations and consortia that demonstrate regional collaboration and the ability to leverage and complement existing state, local, and nonprofit organization programs and initiatives that support innovation- and entrepreneurship-based economic development.

b. Cost-Sharing or Matching

Under this FFO, applicants must demonstrate AT THE TIME OF APPLICATION a matching share from non- Federal4 sources. The applicant must show that the matching share will: (i) be COMMITTED to the project for the project period, (ii) be AVAILABLE as needed, and (iii) NOT BE CONDITIONED OR ENCUMBERED in any way that may preclude its use consistent with the requirements of EDA investment assistance. EDA may give preference to applications with higher matching shares where there are clear and reasonable justifications as to how the higher matching share will be used to further leverage Federal funds and to help ensure additional project impact. Under this FFO, a separate match is required for each project. For all competitions, the amount of an EDA grant may not exceed 50 percent of the total cost of each project.

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. In-kind contributions may provide the required non-Federal share of the total project cost and can consist of contributions directly related to the proposed project, such as space, equipment, or services. EDA will fairly evaluate all in-kind contributions, which must be eligible project costs and meet applicable Federal cost principles and uniform administrative requirements.5

Applicants are STRONGLY encouraged to work with the appropriate EDA representative listed in Section 8 of this FFO to determine how in-kind contributions may be utilized to satisfy the matching share requirement based upon the project concept and application. Please note that because EDA funds cannot be used as venture capital or as an equity investment, the matching share may not include venture capital or equity.

4 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.

5 See 2 CFR § 200.306.

4. APPLICATION AND SUBMISSION INFORMATION

a. How to Obtain an Application Package

An applicant may obtain the appropriate application package electronically at http://www.grants.gov/ (Grants.gov). Applicants may search for this funding opportunity on Grants.gov using Funding Opportunity Number “EDA-HDQ-OIE-2015-2004566.” All components of the appropriate application package may be accessed and downloaded (in a screen-fillable format) at www.grants.gov/web/grants/search-grants.html.

The preferred electronic file format for attachments is Adobe portable document format (PDF); however, EDA will accept electronic files in Microsoft Word, WordPerfect, or Microsoft Excel. Alternatively, an applicant eligible for assistance under this announcement may request a paper application package by contacting EDA’s Office of Innovation and Entrepreneurship (OIE) via phone at (202) 482-8001 or via mail addressed to 1401 Constitution Ave NW Rm 78018, Washington, DC, 20230. APPLICANTS ARE ADVISED

THAT THEY MUST COMPLETE THE REGISTRATION PROCESS PRIOR TO SUBMITTING AN APPLICATION THROUGH

GRANTS.GOV; HOWEVER, PLEASE NOTE THAT REGISTRATION IS NOT REQUIRED FOR AN APPLICANT TO ACCESS, VIEW, OR DOWNLOAD THE APPLICATION PACKAGE. Even though an applicant may be able to view and download an application, IF THE APPLICANT HAS NOT CORRECTLY COMPLETED THE GRANTS.GOV REGISTRATION

PROCESS, THE APPLICANT WILL NOT BE ABLE TO SUBMIT THE APPLICATION FOR EDA’S REVIEW.

b. Content and Form of Application Submission

i. What Is Required for a Complete Application?

In order to be considered for funding, applicants MUST SUBMIT A COMPLETE APPLICATION PACKAGE for each competition to which they are applying that INCLUDES ALL REQUIRED DOCUMENTS OUTLINED BELOW by the applicable deadline. All documentation and data submitted as part of the application package should be current and applicable.

All applications MUST include the following documents:

1. One Form SF-424 (Application for Federal Assistance) from each applicant or co-applicant;

2. One Form SF-424A (Budget Information-Non-Construction Programs) per application is required

(applicants should ensure that the SF-424A reflects a distinct budget for each competition for which the applicant is applying);

3. One Form SF-424B (Assurances-Non-Construction Programs) from each applicant or co-applicant;

4. One Form CD-511 (Certification Regarding Lobbying) from each applicant or co-applicant;

5. One Form SF-LLL (Disclosure of Lobbying Activities) from each applicant or co-applicant;

6. A Project Narrative of no more than 10 single-sided pages using one of Arial, Calibri, or Times

New Roman of size no less than 11 points (see Section 4(b)(iv) of this FFO for additional information);

7. A Budget Narrative of no more than 2 single-sided pages using one of Arial, Calibri, or Times New Roman of size no less than 11 points (see Section 4(b)(v) of this FFO for additional information;

note that supporting documentation that indicates that matching funds are unencumbered, unrestricted, and committed, including but not limited to letters from the organizations providing the funds, DOES NOT count toward this page limit);

8. Comments from the State Clearinghouse to comply with Executive Order 12372, “Intergovernmental Review of Federal Programs,” if applicable (If the comment period has not expired or comments were not received, a copy of the applicant’s request for comments is sufficient; however, in that instance, the final determination will be required prior to award. Detailed information on the State Clearinghouse process can be accessed at http://www.whitehouse.gov/omb/grants_spoc).

9. If the applicant or co-applicant is a NONPROFIT ORGANIZATION, an INSTITUTION OF HIGHER

EDUCATION, a PUBLIC-PRIVATE PARTNERSHIP, a SCIENCE OR RESEARCH PARK, a FEDERAL LABORATORY, or an ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT ORGANIZATION OR SIMILAR ENTITY, in addition to the documents required above, each applicant or co-applicant must provide a copy of:

a. The certificate of good standing less than 12 months old from the State in which the entity or entities are incorporated;

b. The current Articles of Incorporation or other formation documents of the entity or entities;

c. The By-Laws of the entity or entities; AND

d. One or more resolutions (or letters) that demonstrate that the applicant’s or co-applicants’ application is supported by a State or a political subdivision of a State (e.g. a county, a municipality) that is relevant to the proposed projects or programs.

10. A copy of each applicant’s or co-applicant’s current, approved Indirect Cost Rate (ICR) Agreement. See Section 4(b)(ii).

11. A valid unique entity identifier from the System for Award Management (SAM) for each applicant or co-applicant. See Section 4(b)(iii).

All application forms submitted through Grants.gov MUST BE SIGNED ELECTRONICALLY BY AN AUTHORIZED

ORGANIZATIONAL REPRESENTATIVE (AOR); please see Section 9(b) of this FFO for information on AOR requirements.6 Please refer to important information on submitting your application provided in Section 4(d) of this FFO.

ii. Copy of Current, Approved Indirect Cost Rate Agreement

If facilities and administrative costs (sometimes referred to as indirect costs) are included in the budget, the applicant must include a copy of its current Facilities and Administrative Cost Rate Agreement or documentation establishing that it has a pending application. An applicant that does not have a current Facilities and Administrative Cost Rate Agreement negotiated and approved by the Department of Commerce (or by the applicable cognizant Federal agency) may propose facilities and administrative costs in its budget. However, the applicant must prepare and submit a facilities and administrative cost allocation plan and rate proposal or a negotiated indirect cost rate as required by 2 CFR part 200 “Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit Requirements for Federal Awards.” The allocation plan and the rate proposal must be submitted to EDA’s Office of Regional Affairs (or applicable cognizant Federal agency) within ninety days from the award start date.

The maximum dollar amount of allocable facilities and administrative costs for which EDA will reimburse a recipient shall be the lesser of the: (i) line-item amount for the Federal share of facilities and administrative costs contained in the EDA approved budget for the award, or (ii) Federal share of the total allocable facilities and administrative costs of the award based on the cost rate approved by EDA (or applicable cognizant Federal agency), provided that the cost rate is current at the time the costs were incurred and provided that the rate is approved on or before the award end date. The applicant should include a statement in its budget narrative if the applicant does not have, or has not applied for, a Facilities and Administrative Cost Rate Agreement.

6 The AOR must be a person who has the authority to execute documents on behalf of the legal entity making application. See §9(b) of this FFO.

In addition, in accordance with 2 C.F.R. § 200.414(f), any non-Federal entity that has never received a negotiated indirect cost rate, except for those non-Federal entities described in Paragraph D.1.b of Appendix VII to 2 C.F.R. Part 200 (specifically, a governmental department or agency that receives more than $35 million in direct Federal funding), may elect to charge a de minimis rate of 10 percent of modified total direct costs.

iii. Unique Entity Identifier and System for Award Management (SAM)

Applicants (unless the applicant is an individual or Federal awarding agency that is excepted from those requirements under 2 CFR §25.110(b) or (c), or has an exception approved by the Federal awarding agency under 2 CFR §25.110(d)) are required to: (i) Be registered in SAM before submitting its application;

(ii) provide a valid unique entity identifier in its application; and (iii) continue to maintain an active SAM registration with current information at all times during which it has an active Federal award or an application or plan under consideration by a Federal awarding agency. EDA may not make a Federal award to an applicant until the applicant has complied with all applicable unique entity identifier and SAM requirements and, if an applicant has not fully complied with the requirements by the time EDA is ready to make a Federal award, EDA may determine that the applicant is not qualified to receive a Federal award and use that determination as a basis for making a Federal award to another applicant.

The Federal Funding Accountability and Transparency Act of 2006 requires that, to the extent applicable, any proposal awarded in response to this announcement will be required to use the Central Contractor Registration (CCR), now a part of the System for Award Management (SAM) located at http://www.sam.gov, and Dun and Bradstreet Universal Numbering System (DUNS), now referred to as a unique entity identifier, and will be subject to reporting requirements, as identified in OMB guidance published at 2 C.F.R. parts 25 and 170 (2010). The guidance set out at 2 C.F.R. part 25 may be located at http://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/CFR-2014-title2-vol1/pdf/CFR-2014-title2-vol1-part25.pdf and the guidance set out at 2 C.F.R. part 170 may be located at http://www.ecfr.gov/cgi-bin/text-idx?SID=ae3503261286d1cec7a823166eb5bfbf&mc=true&tpl=/ecfrbrowse/Title02/2cfr170_main_02.tpl

iv. Project Narrative Requirements

As outlined in Section 4(b)(i) of this FFO, all applicants must provide a project narrative in order to be considered for funding. Applicants are strongly encouraged to provide a clear and concise narrative that includes a compelling justification for the project and articulates a clearly defined regional economic gap, how the proposed project will uniquely meet this need, and the expected outcome(s) that will result from the proposed project. This should be addressed in a concise manner; lengthy applications will not receive greater consideration. Note that the project narrative and budget narrative are separate documents with different technical requirements and should be submitted separately. See Section 4(b)(i) of this FFO. A competitive application will address the following elements in the project narrative:

A. Description of Project Region, Location, and Impact

Applicants must clearly describe the region where the project will be located, including the specific geographic location of the project within the region, as well as background on the assets of the area, which may include clusters, workforce, and physical, educational, and financial infrastructure. If the impact is expected to expand beyond the noted region, that should be detailed as well.

1. Primary Service Areas

Applicants must explicitly identify their proposed programs’ or projects’ primary service areas by county or county equivalent (collectively, “counties”) and must show a concrete plan to reach innovators and entrepreneurs in those counties. The programs or projects must primarily benefit innovators and entrepreneurs in those counties. The counties that make up an application’s proposed programs’ or projects’ primary service areas should be identified both by name and by their respective 5-digit FIPS codes7 (e.g., the FIPS code of Marion County, AL, is 01093; of Park County, MT, is 30067; and of Alexandria, VA—an independent city and thus a county equivalent—is 51510).

B. Clear Description of Proposed Project

Applicants must clearly document the concrete activities that will be undertaken, and the specific deliverables that will be produced as a result of this investment. The description of the proposed project must include (i) a clear statement of the overall purpose of the project; (ii) the role of each applicant, co-applicant, and key personnel (including a description of their qualifications and/or an approximately one or two page résumé for each key person); and (iii) key milestones along with an estimated project start date (or range), estimated completion dates for key milestones, and an estimated project completion date. For clarity and conciseness, it is suggested that applications include a detailed list- or bullet-style scope of work as part of the description of the proposed project.

C. Documentation of Anticipated Project Impacts

Applicants must provide a clear and compelling justification of the long-term potential economic impact of the proposed project by including metrics such as anticipated job creation or retention, anticipated private investment leveraged, anticipated number of businesses or collaborations supported, and other appropriate measures. All impact estimates, including but not limited to job and private investment leverage estimates, should reflect the anticipated impact at the end of the grant performance period, two years after the end of the grant performance period, and five years after the end of the grant performance period. In all cases, applicants must document the benefit, provide third-party data or information to support these claims, and include practical and clear tracking and reporting mechanisms for metrics that will measure the economic impact during and after the project.

v. Budget Justification and Supporting Documentation Requirements

Applicants must provide a clear budget narrative that identifies and justifies how funds in each line item of the budget will be utilized to support the proposed project. The budget narrative should include itemized valuations of any in-kind matching funds (e.g. a staffing plan for personnel). The non-Federal share, whether in cash or in-kind, is expected to be paid out at the same general rate as the Federal share;

however, if the applicant’s budget narrative proposes otherwise, applicants must also include information that clearly indicates what project elements the matching share funds will support. Finally, the applicant must submit supporting documentation to indicate these funds are UNENCUMBERED, UNRESTRICTED, and COMMITTED to support the proposed project. For page limits and other technical requirements, see Section 4(b)(i) of this FFO.

c. Deadlines for Submission

The closing date for receipt of applications for funding under this FFO is MONDAY, OCTOBER 5, 2015.

Applications submitted electronically via www.grants.gov (Grants.gov) must be received by 11:59 P.M. EASTERN TIME on MONDAY, OCTOBER 5, 2015. THE DATE AND TIME THAT AN APPLICATION WILL BE

DEEMED TO BE ELECTRONICALLY RECEIVED WILL BE DETERMINED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE ELECTRONIC

SUBMISSION INSTRUCTIONS PROVIDED AT GRANTS.GOV FOR THIS FFO. See Sections 4(d),9 of this FFO for

7 See, e.g., http://www.census.gov/geo/reference/codes/cou.html (providing access to FIPS codes for counties and county equivalents).

information regarding electronic submissions. APPLICATIONS RECEIVED AFTER THE CLOSING DATE AND TIME

WILL NOT BE CONSIDERED FOR FUNDING.

In addition, please note the following:

EDA WILL NOT ACCEPT any unsolicited changes, additions, revisions, or deletions to applications after the submission deadline.

Throughout the review and selection process, EDA reserves the right to seek clarification in writing from applicants whose applications are being reviewed and considered.

Applicants may be asked to clarify objectives and work plans and modify budgets or other specifics necessary to comply with Federal requirements and provide supplemental information required by the agency before award.

See Section 5 of this FFO for application review and selection information.

APPLICANTS ARE STRONGLY ENCOURAGED TO START EARLY AND NOT TO WAIT UNTIL THE APPROACHING

APPLICATION DEADLINE BEFORE LOGGING ON AND REVIEWING THE INSTRUCTIONS FOR SUBMITTING AN APPLICATION

THROUGH GRANTS.GOV. Applicants should SAVE AND PRINT WRITTEN PROOF of an electronic submission made at Grants.gov. If problems occur while using Grants.gov, the applicant is advised to (i) print any error message received; and (ii) call Grants.gov at (800) 518-4726 for immediate assistance. EDA, in its sole discretion, may allow submission via an alternate method (e.g, email) due to a “systems issue” at Grants.gov only insofar as any such systems issue is beyond the control of the applicant; however, any submission via this alternate method must be received before the deadline. LATE APPLICATIONS

WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED. See Sections 4(d), 9 of this FFO for more information on electronic submissions.

d. Means of Submission

APPLICATIONS MUST BE SUBMITTED THROUGH GRANTS.GOV. EDA will not accept paper, facsimile or email transmissions of applications for this program. Applications must be successfully validated and time-stamped by Grants.gov no later than 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time on the date of the deadline listed in Section 4(c) of this FFO. An application that is not validated and time-stamped by Grants.gov by the deadline WILL NOT BE REVIEWED. Note that the Grants.gov registration is a multi-stage process that involves a number of steps, including validation, verification, and registration through other websites such as sam.gov.