FY2024 Pre Submission Webinar.pdf

2024 Regional Innovation Cluster Competition Solicitation number: 73351024R0007

July 9, 2024

Regional Innovation Clusters | U.S. Small Business Administration (sba.gov) Solicitation questions and submissions can be sent directly to RICInitiative2024@sba.gov

We Will Start Shortly.

https://www.sba.gov/local-assistance/regional-innovation-clusters mailto:RICInitiative2024@sba.gov

Disclaimer:

This webinar is being recorded.

All questions will be consolidated and answered in a document posted on SAM.gov under the solicitation.

Closed captions are available.

Click “More” at the top of your screen and under “Language and

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For our audience, your cameras and microphone are disabled for the duration of this webinar. Please include all questions in the Q&A box.

Agenda

• Overview of Office of Investment and Innovation Ecosystem Development Programs

• Overview of Regional Innovation Cluster (RIC) Initiative

• Solicitation Overview

• Solicitation Provisions and Materials

• Tour of the Solicitation Portal

Recommendation: Have solicitation packet pulled up during the webinar; we will reference specific page numbers of the full solicitation packet when we provide the competition overview and solicitation provisions and materials

Overview of SBA Investment and Innovation Ecosystem

Development Programs

An Introduction to Our Programs, Team, and Avenues of Collaboration and Support

Investment and Innovation Ecosystem Development

• Regional Innovation Cluster (RIC) Initiative

• Growth Accelerator Fund Competition (GAFC) Prizes

• Innovation Ecosystem Monthly Calls and Annual Summits

• Investment Ecosystem Resources and Education

• Advisory Committees on Investment Capital and Invention/Innovation

SBA Office of Investment and Innovation Programs

Small Business Innovation Research and Tech Transfer (SBIR/STTR)

• Policy for $4.5 Billion in Small Business Contract and Grant Awards Annually through 11 Participating Federal Agencies

• Federal and State Technology Partnership Program (FAST) SBIR Assistance

• Coordinated outreach and reporting across the Federal government

Small Business Investment Company Program (SBIC)

• Private Equity, Private Credit, Venture Capital, Growth Equity, Buyout, and Fund-of-Funds

• 318 Private Funds Licensed

• $8 Billion in Financing to Small Businesses and Startups in FY23

• $42 Billion in Assets Under Management

Connecting public and private sector resources and capital with innovation economy entrepreneurs

Investment and Innovation Ecosystem Development (IIED)

The Ecosystem Development Division seeks to connect and support the networks and stakeholders helping growth-oriented small businesses.

Our Team

Jennifer Shieh, PhD Chief Scientist &

Program Manager -

GAFC

Renee Sperling Financial

Management Specialist

Alison Evans Ecosystem

Development Specialist - RICs

Rikki Jones Investment Ecosystem

Specialist - SBIC

Brittany Sickler

Director

Hire in Process

Summer Fellows –

Fleming Beaver (Duke -MPP/ UNC-MBA)

Jasmine Zhong (Duke-MPP)

What is a Cluster?

"Clusters" are geographic concentrations of interconnected companies, specialized suppliers, academic institutions, service providers, and associated organizations with a specific industry focus.

Clusters build upon the competitive advantages of their region and support the start and growth of small businesses within their specific industry.

Private Firms

Universities

Research Organizations

Government Agencies

Venture Capitalists

Investors

Business Networks

Business Operations Providers

Ecosystem Support

Organizations

Incubators

Accelerators

What are Cluster Industries and Technologies?

The RIC Initiative supports the unique qualities of regional economies to build a thriving, national innovation ecosystem.

The potential to innovate is not a centralized process, but exists in pockets of activity, big and small, throughout the country. Cluster innovations within focused industries and technologies generally evolve with regional economies over time.

What is a Cluster Region?

"Region" looks different across the Clusters.

Single County / Counties

Example: Los Angeles County

Entire state

Example: Missouri

Multiple states

Example: Counties in Arkansas, Mississippi, Tennessee, Missouri

Cluster Headquarters and Regions

Competition Overview

Program Goal

Promote and support clusters - geographically concentrated groups of interconnected businesses, suppliers, service providers, and associated institutions in a particular industry or field across the

United States.

Organizations Eligible to Apply

This is a full and open competition.

Nonprofit and for-profit entities are eligible to apply.

Cluster Types

Emerging Cluster

Emerging clusters and cluster administrators are those that have some partnerships already formed in the specified region and industry and are seeking to expand the size of their cluster.

Mature Cluster

Mature clusters and cluster administrators are those that have long standing partnerships in the specified region and industry. Mature clusters have experience building and implementing programming to support small businesses in their designated region and industry.

Tell SBA if you are an emerging or mature cluster under evaluation factor 1 –see Table A.2 (page 12)

What Are Cluster Administrators Responsible For?

What we need to see in your proposal: Pages 32 – 35 of full solicitation packet

Cluster Management and Oversight

How will you manage your work and membership?

Cluster Management and Small Business Support Service

Delivery in Specified Industry

What services will you provide to small businesses?

Creation and Expansion of Cluster Network in Specified

Industry

Who are your current and future partners?

Report Development

Quarterly and annual reporting to SBA and participation in program evaluation

Proposal Evaluation Factors How to Organize Your Proposal: Pages 11 – 14 of full solicitation packet; max file size of 10 MB

1. Qualifications of Cluster Administrator & Key Personnel

Show SBA how you can build and manage your emerging or mature cluster

Page limit: 10 pages

2. Technical Approach

Show SBA your region & industry; services provided to small businesses; and current and future partnerships

Page limit: 10 pages

3. Past Performance

Include 2 – 4 CPARS evaluations;

if no CPARS complete Past

Performance Questionnaire (Attachment 4)

Page limit: 5 pages

4. Price

Offerors shall submit pricing in accordance with the pricing schedule template in Attachment 2.

Factors 1 and 2 are the most important factors and are of equal value. When combined, Factors 1, 2, 3 are significantly more important than

Factor 4 - Price.

Award Details and Period of Performance

Period of Performance: 12-month Base Period with four 12-month Option Years.

Exercise of any option years will be at the sole discretion of the SBA.

The total term of the contract, including all extensions, shall not exceed 60 months.

All awards will be through Firm- Fixed Price Contracts.

Multiple awards will be made for both emerging and mature clusters under this solicitation, look at pages 12 and 13 for description of emerging and mature clusters.

Solicitation Provisions and Materials

Quote Submission Package: Key Dates

• Questions can be sent directly to RICInitiative2024@sba.gov by July 11, 2024, by 1 PM ET.

• All questions will be collected, and answers posted on the solicitation page on SAM.gov

• Quote submissions submitted directly to RICInitiative2024@sba.gov by July 26, 2024, by 1 PM ET.

• Awardees will be notified by end of September.

Solicitation Provisions and Materials

• Review full solicitation synopsis for general information, purpose, scope, and mission of the solicitation.

• Review Attachment 1: Statement of Objectives (SOO) for information on the scope and mission of the RIC Initiative and to see reporting requirements, and small business and regional economic metrics of relevance to the program.

• Review Table A.2 for a full explanation of what to include in your quote submission to the solicitation

• Included in the solicitation documents

• Attachment 1: Statement of Objectives

• Attachment 2: Price Schedule

• Attachment 3: Limitations on Subcontracting Template

• Attachment 4: Past Performance Questionnaire

• Attachment 5: Quality Assurance Surveillance Plan

• Attachment 6: Conflict of Interest

How to Find the Solicitation

Solicitation Portal: SAM.gov

• Offerors shall have an active SAM registration at time of offer, have a complete copy of their representations and certifications in SAM.gov, and shall indicate as such in their offer. Unique Entity ID (UEI) to be included in materials requested in Table A.2.

• Existing registered entities can find their UEI by following the steps here.

• New entities can get their UEI at SAM.gov and need to complete an entity registration prior to time of offer.

https://www.fsd.gov/gsafsd_sp?id=kb_article_view&sysparm_article=KB0041254

Final Reminders

• This webinar is not intended to cover all details pertaining to the competition guidelines.

• You are responsible for reviewing the full and complete competition guidelines at SAM.gov

• Solicitation number is: 733573351024R0007

• Please send additional questions to by July 11, 2024, at 1 PM ET.

• We will review questions and post answers on SAM.gov under the solicitation.

• Quote submissions due to RICInitiative2024@sba.gov by July 26, 2024, by 1

PM.

Please put all questions in the Q&A Box to be answered on

SAM.gov