MBDA-OBD-2020-2006426 Full Announcement.pdf

MBDA Business Center Program - Nevada

TABLE OF CONTENTS

I. Funding Opportunity Description 3

A. Program Objective 3 B. Program Priorities 3 C. Program Authority 5

II. Award Information 5 A. Funding Availability 5 B. Project/Award Period 5 C. Type of Funding Instrument 6

III. Eligibility Information 6 A. Eligible Applicants 6 B. Cost Sharing or Matching Requirement 6 C. Other Criteria that Affect Eligibility 6

IV. Application and Submission Information 6 A. Address to Request Application Package 6 B. Content and Form of Application 6 C. Unique Entity Identifier and System for Award Management (SAM) 11 D. Submission Dates and Times 11 E. Intergovernmental Review 11 F. Funding Restrictions 12 G. Other Submission Requirements 12

V. Application Review Information 15 A. Evaluation Criteria 15 B. Review and Selection Process 18 C. Selection Factors 19 D. Anticipated Announcement and Award Dates 20

VI. Award Administration Information 20 A. Award Notices 20 B. Administrative and National Policy Requirements 20 C. Reporting 21

VII. Agency Contacts 22 VIII. Other Information 22

Notice of Federal Funding Page 1 of 39

NOTICE OF FUNDING OPPORTUNITY

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

Federal Agency Name(s): Minority Business Development Agency (MBDA), Minority Business Development Agency (MBDA), Department of Commerce

Funding Opportunity Title: MBDA Business Center Program - Nevada

Announcement Type: Initial

Funding Opportunity Number: MBDA-OBD-2020-2006426

Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance (CFDA) Number: 11.805, MBDA Business Center

(MBC)

Dates: Complete applications will be accepted in Grants.gov up to 11:59 p.m. Eastern Daylight Time on April 16, 2020. Applications received after this time will not be reviewed or considered for funding under this Announcement.

Funding Opportunity Description: This notice requests applications for special projects and programs aligned with the Minority Business Development Agency’s (MBDA) strategic plans and mission goals to service minority business enterprises (MBE’s). This notice also provides the public with information and guidelines on how MBDA will select proposals and administer discretionary Federal assistance under this Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO).

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FULL ANNOUNCEMENT TEXT

I. Funding Opportunity Description

A. Program Objective

The Minority Business Development Agency (MBDA), a bureau of the U.S. Department of Commerce, will provide Federal assistance to support innovative projects seeking to promote and ensure the inclusion and use of minority enterprises. The MBDA Minority Business Development Project provides technical assistance and business development services to minority business enterprises (MBEs). In accordance with Executive Order 11625 and 15 U.S.C. § 1512, MBDA is soliciting competitive applications from eligible organizations for the operation of a MBDA Minority Business Development Center as described in this Announcement. MBDA will award one (1) individual grant pursuant to this Announcement for a business center in the following metropolitan area: Nevada.

The Minority Business Development Agency (MBDA) seeks to provide Federal assistance in support of innovative projects that promote and seek to resolve the challenges faced by minority enterprises. The funds to be awarded by this program are not congressionally directed funds or designated for existing funded awards. In the Fiscal Year 2020 appropriations bill, Congress authorized MBDA to foster, promote, and develop minority business enterprise, through grants, contracts, and other agreements with public or private organizations. See Consolidated

Appropriations Act of 2020, Pub. L. No. 116-93 (December 20, 2019). MBDA is authorized pursuant to Executive Order 11625 to provide financial assistance to public and private organizations so that they may render technical and management assistance to minority business enterprises and defray all or part of the costs of pilot or demonstration projects conducted by public or private agencies or organizations which are designed to overcome the special challenges of minority business enterprises.

B. Program Priorities

MBDA leads Federal Government efforts to promote the growth and global competitiveness of minority business enterprises (MBEs). MBDA has established key priorities designed to overcome the unique challenges faced by minority business enterprises (MBEs).

The primary drivers of the Minority Business Development Center - Nevada are: (i) capacity building, and (ii) job creation/retention resulting from facilitating contracts and financing for medium-sized minority businesses. MBDA Centers provide technical business services

Notice of Federal Funding Page 3 of 39 including (but not limited to) the development of a pool of contract and finance opportunities; direct matching of opportunities with qualified/vetted MBEs; relationship management and deal sourcing initiatives (e.g. industry clusters); facilitating MBE growth through exports (identifying global markets and financing); identifying, matching and securing alternative sources of capital and financing; educating MBEs on the benefits of strategic growth alternatives (e.g., mergers, acquisitions and/or joint ventures); MBE advocacy; and, providing service referrals to MBEs of all sizes.

Note: Projects must be located in any area of Nevada and must provide services that benefit minority business enterprises in any U.S. state or territory.

MBDA anticipates making an award under this announcement up to $300,000. The funding amount for the award will be determined by the agency based on the proposal submitted.

1. Agency Requirements for the Center

a) Alignment to MBDA Mission – Each proposed project should align, compliment, and support MBDA’s mission to promote the growth and global competitiveness of America’s minority business enterprise (MBE) community.

b) Service Location - MBDA seeks to fund projects located in any area of Nevada.

c) Performance – Funded projects must align with the MBDA program priorities (I.A. and I.B. above).

d) Innovation - Applications must address the unique challenges faced by minority business enterprises (MBEs).

e) MBE Service Recipients - Organizations that are owned or controlled by the following persons or groups of persons are the organizations that are considered MBEs for the purpose of this NOFO: African-American, Hispanic-American, American Asian and Pacific Islander, Native American (including Alaska Natives, Alaska Native Corporations and Tribal entities), Asian Indian American, and Hasidic Jewish American. See 15 C.F.R. §§ 1400.1, 1400.2 and Executive Order 11625 (1969).

2. Performance Measures and Goals in order to remain consistent with the Agency’s mission, applications should allow for the measurement of growth of minority business enterprises (MBEs). Applicants should plan projects that allow them to set goals in these areas and to capture success stories.

Measures and Goals Number of Clients Served Number of Contracts

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Number of Success Stories

Number of Clients Served: the actual number of MBEs served during this funding period.

The clients must complete a written engagement form with the center for specific services.

Number of Contracts: the number of awarded contracts and other binding procurement awards secured by clients.

Number of Success Stories: a qualitative measure of client success stories provided in a detailed narrative of the services rendered, the impact on MBE operations and/or revenue, and the actual outcome (i.e., contract or capital procurement).

C. Program Authority

In the Fiscal Year 2020 appropriations bill, Congress authorized MBDA to provide funding through grants, contracts, and other agreements with public or private organizations.

See Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2020, Pub. L. No. 116-93 (December 20, 2019).

MBDA is authorized pursuant to Executive Order 11625 to provide financial assistance to public and private organizations so that they may render technical and management assistance to minority business enterprises and defray all or part of the costs of pilot or demonstration projects conducted by public or private agencies or organizations which are designed to overcome the special challenges of minority business enterprises.

II. Award Information

A. Funding Availability

MBDA expects to expend approximately $300,000 in fiscal year (FY) 2020 funds for the financial assistance award under this Announcement. The funding amount for this award will be determined by the agency based on the proposal submitted. The funding amounts referenced in this NOFO are subject to the availability of appropriated funds. Publication of this NOFO does not obligate the U.S. Department of Commerce or MBDA to award any specific grant or to obligate all or any part of available funds.

B. Project/Award Period

MBDA will issue an award for a one-year term from September 1, 2020 through August 31, 2021. Receipt of any prospective funding also is contingent upon the availability of funds from Congress and continued relevance to program objectives and will be at the sole discretion of the Department of Commerce.

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C. Type of Funding Instrument

Selected applicant(s) will receive funding through a grant under this Announcement.

After the award is made, MBDA staff may assist the project by means of a post-award conference, ongoing collaboration and communication.

III. Eligibility Information

A. Eligible Applicants

Eligible applicants include: For-profit entities (including but not limited to sole-proprietorships, partnerships, limited liability companies, and corporations), non-profit organizations, institutions of higher education, commercial organizations, state and local government entities, and quasi-government entities.

B. Cost Sharing or Matching Requirement

Cost sharing is not required unless determined by the applicant that the project can only be funded with matching/cost sharing funds.

C. Other Criteria that Affect Eligibility none

IV. Application and Submission Information

A. Address to Request Application Package

All application materials and forms are available at the grants.gov website (http://www.grants.gov). Helpful competition materials such as FAQs can be found on the MBDA Internet Portal (www.mbda.gov).

B. Content and Form of Application

B. Content and Form of Application

General Requirements. The application must provide sufficient information for the agency to make a determination of merit of the proposal. Each applicant’s proposal must describe in detail the programmatic deliverables that address “Agency Requirements for the Center” (See Section I.B.1 above) as well as meet content requirements below.

1. Content Requirements

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a) A Complete Application - An application must be submitted for each proposal under this Announcement. Applications should include the elements for each section as described below in order to be eligible for the maximum consideration. Applications that fail to include all the necessary elements may not be reviewed or considered and may be disqualified (see Section V. Application Review Information). A complete application should contain the following:

(1) Title Page (One (1) page limit) The title page identifies the project’s title, total budget, start and end dates;

and the names, affiliations, complete mailing addresses, email addresses, and telephone numbers of all persons affiliated with the proposal. At a minimum, the application title page must provide the applicant’s name, address, telephone number, email address, date of submission, and the Funding Opportunity Number.

(2) Table of Contents (One (1) page limit) Under the Table of Contents, applicants should outline the full contents of the application and provide corresponding page numbers. All pages of the application must be consecutively numbered.

(3) Applicant Narrative (Ten (10) page limit)

A detailed narrative with defined sections as described below.

(a) Project Synopsis (Two (2) paragraph limit). It is critical that the project synopsis accurately summarize the project being proposed and convey all essential elements of the activities. The narrative must identify the designated service location of the project.

(b) Project Description. The applicant should fully describe and explain the project being proposed, including:

(i) a description of the proposed project that thoroughly explains the approach, methodology, implementation and operation of the proposal over the entire period of performance;

(ii) clear and accurate identification of the designated service location of the project;

(iii) an approach that clearly demonstrates innovation, creativity, cost-efficiency, a strong likelihood of achieving the desired outcome, and the capability of being deployed in the near term (2-3 months of award) and of having an impact in the near term (6-12 months of award);

(iv) a concept of operations that clearly describes a process, method, or model upon

Notice of Federal Funding Page 7 of 39 which the project will meet specific objectives (i.e., defined measures), outputs, and outcomes or goals;

(v) a description of specific work requirements from beginning to end and how the proposed project will accomplish the stated initiative;

(vi) success indicators using the defined measures and goals as noted above and;

(vii) a description of how the project will be able to adapt to any operational and/or performance challenges.

Literature cited in the project description may be submitted to support the project description statements in this section.

(c) Applicant Capability. The applicant must present information describing the experience and qualifications of the organization to carry out the proposal. The application should include the following information.

(i) Organizational Outline. A concise outline of what the applicant organization does, a discussion of experience with similar projects or services as those proposed, an explanation of experience dealing with the specific issues facing minority business enterprises, and a list of previous or current projects or services relevant to the proposal.

(ii) Organizational Background. An organizational background that emphasizes the applicant’s knowledge of the minority business sector and strategies for enhancing its growth, expansion, and capacity building related to the MBDA initiative under this NOFO.

(iii) Organizational Structure. A chart showing the applicant’s organizational structure during the period for which the proposal applies, along with a functional statement noting the duties and/or responsibilities of all units that comprise the organization. Applicants must also provide a brief narrative background statement outlining the financial operation of the organization.

(iv) Organizational Value. A section that highlights the applicant’s organizational contribution to partner with MBDA (and other relevant and established/proposed partnerships. If the applicant proposes to leverage third-party partnerships and their respective resources to accomplish the proposed project under this NOFO, the applicant will need to provide proof of commitment by the third party as an attached document in the proposal.

(v) Biographies or Resumes for Major Participant(s). The applicant should provide a one-page bio or resume showing only relevant experience of the major project participants.

Major participants can be defined as the organization leader, financial management officer, and/or project manager/daily supervisor of the proposed project.

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(vi) Proof of Capability. Applicants are also encouraged to provide proof of capability such as (but not limited to) public records of accomplishments, public citations, and/or letters of referrals as attachments in the proposal.

(d) Project Goals and Objectives. The applicant must provide a detailed list of project components and a statement of objectives for each component. This statement must include:

(i) clear objectives and specific approaches to achieving its project description and those objectives;

(ii) an implementation schedule that specifically outlines the coordination of all project components, organizational activities, timelines, relevant measures with expected outputs, projected outcomes and impact; and

(iii) annual and semi-annual goals.

(4) Supporting Documents (Three (3) page limit) Literature Cited (if applicable). The applicant may provide additional information that supports the proposed project. If submitted, literature cited in the proposal may support scoring under the Applicant Narrative – Project Description criterion as noted above.

(5) Standard Forms (SF) and Budget Narrative The applicant must provide the required SF, attachments, and budget information as described in the section below.

(a) Standard Application Forms. Please refer to the application package available through www.Grants.gov. Please review each form to determine which are required with a submission. Each applicant may not be required to submit all forms listed, depending on the project type or the applicant type.

(i) Signed SF-424. The SF-424 must be signed by the authorized representative.

Electronic signatures submitted through grants.gov satisfy this requirement. One form will cover all funding periods.

(ii) SF-424A. Budget Information-Non-Construction Programs.

(iii) SF-424B. Assurances for Non-Construction Programs. Budget Narrative Must be completed and submitted for all non-construction applications.

(iv) SF-LLL Disclosure of Lobbying Activities.

(v) Commerce Department (CD)-511. Certification Regarding Lobbying. Certification regarding debarment, suspension and other responsibility matters, drug free workplace requirements, and lobbying.

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(b) Budget Breakdown. The applicant must submit the SF-424 (application package) and initial breakout via the SF-424A form (SF-424A non-construction, as appropriate). The applicant must indicate matching funds if provided in the appropriate areas of the SF-424 and SF424A. Costs must align.

(c) Budget Narrative. (Five (5) page limit). The applicant must provide justifications for all budget items in sufficient detail to enable the proposal reviewers to evaluate the appropriateness of the funding requested. The budget justification must be broken-out and detailed using the same budget categories as the SF-424A. Costs must align.

All of the applicant’s proposed expenditures for the project must be broken-down into their individual units and discussed. The budget narrative must match the proposed line item budget (as found in the SF-424A). The budget narrative must also align with work activities, goals, staffing, and other proposed resources. Fringe benefits and other percentage item calculations must match the SF-424A for the proposal year.

(d) Required Travel Item(s). Each applicant should include travel costs for (2) key personnel to attend the following items:

(i) Minority Enterprise Development Week, Awards Program; and

(ii) National Training Conference.

All costs included in the proposed budget must be allowable, allocable, and reasonable. Each item of cost must be accompanied by a sufficiently detailed description in the budget narrative and align with the SF-424A to enable proposal reviewers to determine if the cost is allowable, allocable, and reasonable. One-word descriptions and lump sum amounts are not adequate for justifying costs or narrative descriptions. Each budget item should be broken out and described fully so that there is no ambiguity or question regarding its relevance or reasonableness to the project and its objectives.

The Office of Management and Budget (OMB) Uniform Guidance will be used to determine allowable costs and will apply to the entire amount of the award, including both the federal and non-federal costs. See Uniform Guidance: Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit Requirements for Federal Awards (Uniform Guidance), 2 CFR Part 200 (2015).

Please refer to section H. “Other Information” of this Announcement for additional information pertaining to required travel.

(6) Format Requirements All pages should be single-spaced and should be composed in at least 11-point font with one-inch margins on 8-1/2 inch x 11 inch paper. The total proposal shall not exceed 20

Notice of Federal Funding Page 10 of 39 pages, including the title page, table of contents, applicant narrative, literature cited, budget narrative, letters of support or letters of commitment (if any), and organizational structure.

The following items are not included in the 20-page limit: resumes/bios of key personnel and required forms. Failure to follow the requirements may result in the rejection of the application. Any PDF or other attachments that are included in an electronic application must meet the above format requirement when printed.

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

Each applicant (unless the applicant is a Federal awarding agency which has an exception from the requirements of 2 CFR § 25.110(b) or (c), or an exception approved by the MBDA under 2 CFR § 25.110(d)) is required to:

during which it has an active Federal award or an application or plan under consideration by MBDA (or any other Federal agency).

MBDA may not make a Federal award to an applicant until the applicant has complied with all applicable unique entity identifier and SAM requirements. If an applicant has not fully complied with the requirements by the time MBDA is ready to make the award, MBDA may determine that the applicant is not qualified to receive a Federal award and use that determination as a basis for making an award to another applicant.

D. Submission Dates and Times

All proposals must be received on or before April 16, 2020 at 11:59:59 pm Eastern Daylight Time (EDT). Applications may be submitted starting from the publication date of this NOFO up to the deadline above. Applications received after this time will not be reviewed or considered for funding. Applications must be submitted electronically via www.grants.gov. The electronic submission will receive a date and time stamp at www.grants.gov and will be processed after it is fully uploaded. Applicants should anticipate receiving confirmation of successful submission within forty-eight (48) hours. It is imperative that applicants obtain this confirmation as proof of successful submission.

Waiting to submit an application until the end of the competition period puts an application at risk; be sure to allow ample time.

E. Intergovernmental Review

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Applications under this project are not subject to Executive Order 12372, Intergovernmental Review of Federal Programs.

F. Funding Restrictions

Applicants requesting an indirect cost rate (IDC) are required to submit a copy of their current and signed indirect cost rate agreement with the application package.

If an applicant does not have a current Facilities and Administrative (Indirect) Cost Rate Agreement that was negotiated and approved by the Department of Commerce (or by the applicable cognizant Federal agency), please provide a statement to this effect. The applicant must prepare and submit a 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.” See 2 CFR § 200.414. The allocation plan and the rate proposal must be submitted to MBDA (or applicable cognizant Federal agency) within ninety (90) days from the award start date.

Alternatively, in accordance with 2 CFR § 200.414(f), a non-Federal entity that has never received a negotiated indirect cost rate may elect to charge a de minimis rate of 10 percent of modified total direct costs. Applicants proposing a 10 percent de minimis rate pursuant to 2 C.F.R. § 200.414(f) should note this election as part of the budget and budget narrative portion of the application.

Indirect costs proposed under the award must be clearly identified as a separate budget line-item.

G. Other Submission Requirements

The time it takes to completely upload an application will vary depending on a number of factors, including the size of the application, the speed of the applicant’s Internet connection, and the time it takes www.grants.gov to process the application. If www.grants.gov rejects the application, the applicant must resubmit the entire application and receive a date and time stamp from www.grants.gov. The www.grants.gov time stamp will be considered the date and time of submission receipt. Before beginning to apply through www.grants.gov, please review the application instructions posted at www.grants.gov and in this NOFO.

1. Grants.gov Registration - To submit an application through www.grants.gov, you must register for a user ID and password. This process can take between three to five business days and up to four weeks if all steps are not completed correctly. Information about the registration process can be found at http://www.grants.gov/applicants/get_registered.jsp.

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Before applying, your organization needs to register with Grants.gov, which requires appointing one or more Authorized Organization Representatives (AOR). Applicants should register as organizations, not individuals. You must register an Authorized Organizational Representative (AOR) for your organization. The AORs registered at www.grants.gov are the only officials with the authority to submit applications for your organization. Your organization may authorize multiple AORs for www.grants.gov purposes. Below are instructions for registering as an organization.

2. Electronic Submission - The electronic submission date is the date that applications have been submitted electronically and received by www.Grants.gov. Proof of timely submission shall be the official date and time that www.Grants.gov receives your application. You must save and print the proof of submission from/on www.Grants.gov. If problems occur while using www.Grants.gov, the applicant is advised to (i) print any error message received and (ii) call www.Grants.gov at 1-800-518-4726 for immediate assistance.

If you experience a grants.gov “systems issue” (technical problems or glitches with the grants.gov website) that you believe threatens your ability to complete a submission, you must (i) print any error message received and (ii) call the Grants.gov Contact Center at 1- 800-518-4726 for immediate assistance. Ensure that you obtain and document a case number regarding your communications with grants.gov.

Important note: problems with an applicant organization’s computer system or equipment are not considered “systems issues.” Similarly, an applicant’s failure to: (i) complete the required registration, (ii) ensure that a registered AOR submits the application, or (iii) receive an email message from grants.gov are not considered systems issues. A grants.gov “systems issue” is an issue occurring in connection with the operations of grants.gov system, such as the temporary loss of the service by grants.gov due to unexpected volume of traffic or failure of information technology systems, both of which are highly unlikely.

Confirmation of successful submission requires 48 hours. Applicants are advised to review the Grants.gov tutorial to minimize risk of an unsuccessful submission. Please visit http://www.grants.gov

3. Returning Grants.Gov Users - Organizations already registered with Grants.gov do not need to re-register, but the organization must maintain a current System for Award Management (SAM) registration (formerly Central Contractor Registration (CCR)). If the applicant’s SAM registration is not up-to-date the application will not be accepted by Grants.gov. An applicant’s CCR username will not work in SAM. Applicants must create a new SAM user account to renew or update registration. To obtain additional information and

Notice of Federal Funding Page 13 of 39 to verify that all required registrations are current, please visit www.sam.gov/portal/public/SAM. SAM is the official U.S. Government system that consolidated the capabilities of CCR Federal Agency Registration (FedReg), Online Representations and Certifications Application (ORCA), and Excluded Parties List System

(EPLS).

Potential applicants should begin registration early, as the complete registration process takes between three business days and three weeks. Before applying for a funding opportunity, your organization needs to register with grants.gov and assign one or more Authorized Organization Representatives (AOR). We recognize registration activities take extra time; however, this is part of the security process the U.S. Government must use to prevent fraud and abuse of funds. The Grants.gov application process is outlined below.

Obtain a DUNS Number. Call 1-866-705-5711 or access the Dun & Bradstreet

Register with SAM. Access https://www.sam.gov. You'll also need the authorizing official of your organization and an Employer Identification Number (EIN) (7-10 business days).

Create Grants.gov Username and Password. Complete your Authorized Organization Representative (AOR) profile and create your username and password. You will need to use your organization's DUNS Number (same day).

Authorize the AOR. Request approval, then your organization's E-Biz POC must log in to Grants.gov to confirm you as an AOR (same day).

Track AOR Status. Log in to Grants.gov and look at the Applicant welcome box for your current status (same day).

Download an application package. Use Funding Opportunity Number MBDA-OBD-2020- 2006426 and Download a Grant Application Package (same day).

Complete your application package. Write your proposal and fill out ALL the required forms, fields, and certifications (allow 3 days).

Submit your application package. Access your completed application package, ensure all the necessary information is entered, check the package for errors, then click the "Save & Submit" button on the cover page (3 days).

Track my application package. Enter the tracking number you received after Step 8 and

Notice of Federal Funding Page 14 of 39 click the "Submit Tracking Number(s)" button. Note, confirmation of successful submission may require 48 hours (allow 2 days).

Applications must be submitted electronically via www.grants.gov.

V. Application Review Information

A. Evaluation Criteria

The successful applicant will possess experience that is substantive to the area(s) related to MBDA’s Priorities (see section I.B.) and will be evaluated based on “Agency Requirements for the Center” (see section I.B.1), and the evaluation criteria included below.

It is also anticipated (although not mandatory) that the mission of the successful applicant organization will align with the mission of MBDA. The successful applicant also will ensure alignment of budget, resources, objectives, outcomes or goals, and timelines to accomplish the proposed project.

1. Applicant Narrative (65 points) - This section of the project proposal will be evaluated on the criteria identified below.

a) Project Description (25 Points). The applicant should fully describe and explain the project being proposed, including:

(1) a description of the proposed project that thoroughly explains the approach, methodology, implementation and operation of the proposal over the entire period of performance; (5 points)

(2) clear and accurate identification of the designated service location of the project; an approach that clearly demonstrates innovation, creativity, cost-efficiency, a strong likelihood of achieving the desired outcome, and the capability of being deployed in the near term (2-3 months of award) and of having an impact in the near term (6-12 months of award); (5 points)

(3) a concept of operations that clearly describes a process, method, or model upon which the project will meet specific objectives (i.e., defined measures), outputs and outcomes or goals; (5 points)

(4) a description of specific work requirements from beginning to end and how the proposed project will accomplish the stated initiative; (5 points)

(5) success indicators using defined and relevant measure(s) and goal(s); (3 points) and

(6) a description of how the project will be able to adapt to any operational and/or performance challenges. (2 points) Literature cited in the project description may be submitted to support the project description

Notice of Federal Funding Page 15 of 39 statements in this section.

b) Applicant Capability (25 points). The applicant must present information describing the experience and qualifications of the organization to carry out the proposal. The application should include the following information.

(1) Organizational Outline. A concise outline of what the applicant organization does, a discussion of experience with similar projects or services as those proposed, an explanation of experience dealing with the specific issues facing minority business enterprises, and a list of previous or current projects or services relevant to the proposal. (5 points)

(2) Organizational Background. An organizational background that emphasizes the applicant’s knowledge of the minority business sector and strategies for enhancing its growth, expansion and capacity building related to the MBDA initiative under this NOFO. (5 points)

(3) Organizational Structure. A chart showing the applicant’s organizational structure during the period for which the proposal applies, along with a functional statement noting the duties and/or responsibilities of all units that comprise the organization. Applicants must also provide a brief narrative background statement outlining the financial operation of the organization.

(5 points)

(4) Organizational Value. A section that highlights the applicant’s organizational contribution to partner with MBDA and other relevant and established/proposed partnerships. If the applicant proposes to leverage third-party partnerships and their respective resources to accomplish the proposed project under this NOFO, the applicant will need to provide proof of commitment by the third party as an attached document in the proposal. (5 points)

(5) Biographies or Resumes for Major Participant(s). The applicant should provide a one-page bio or resume showing only relevant experience of the major project participants.

Major participants can be defined as the organization leader, financial management officer, and/or project manager/daily supervisor of the proposed project. (0 points)

(6) Proof of Capability. Applicants are also encouraged to provide proof of capability such as (but not limited to) public records of accomplishments, public citations, and/or letters of referrals as attachments in the proposal. (5 points)

c) Project Goals and Objectives (15 points). The applicant must provide a detailed list of project components and a statement of objectives for each component. This statement must include:

(1) clear objectives and specific approaches to achieving its project description and those objectives; (5 points)

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(2) an implementation schedule that specifically outlines the coordination of all project components, and organizational activities, timelines, relevant measures with expected outputs, projected outcomes and impact; (5 points)

(3) annual goals and a break-out of the goals by first six-month and full twelve-month award period. (5 points)

Evaluation Criteria Points Project Description (up to 25 points) Applicant Capability (up to 25 points) Project Goals and Objectives (up to 15 points) Total 65

2. Applicant Budget (35 points) - This section of the project proposal will be evaluated on the criteria identified below (see also section IV.B.1.a), Standard Forms, and Budget Narrative, which provides detailed budget and cost proposal requirements.

1. Budget Breakdown (15 points). The applicant must submit the SF-424 (application package) and initial breakout via the SF-424A form (SF-424A non-construction, as appropriate). The applicant must indicate matching funds if provided in the appropriate areas of the SF-424 and SF424A. Costs must align.

2. Budget Narrative (20 points). The applicant must provide justifications for all budget items in sufficient detail to enable the proposal reviewers to evaluate the appropriateness of the funding requested. The budget justification must be broken-out and detailed using the same budget categories as the SF-424A. Costs must align.

All proposed expenditures for the project must be broken-down into their individual units and discussed. The budget narrative must match the proposed line item budget (as found in the SF-424A). The budget narrative must also align with work activities, goals, staffing, and other proposed resources. Fringe benefits and other percentage item calculations must match the SF-424A for each proposal year.

a. Required Travel Item(s). Each applicant should include travel costs for key personnel to attend the following events:

i. Minority Enterprise Development Week Awards Program; and

ii. MBDA National Training Conference.

All costs included in the proposed budget must be allowable, allocable, and reasonable. Each item of cost must be accompanied by a sufficiently detailed description in the budget narrative and align with the SF-424A to enable proposal reviewers to determine if the cost is allowable, allocable, and reasonable. One-word descriptions and lump sum amounts are not

Notice of Federal Funding Page 17 of 39 adequate for justifying costs or narrative descriptions. Each budget item should be broken out and described fully so that there is no ambiguity or question regarding its relevance or reasonableness to the project and its objectives.

Evaluation Criteria Points Breakdown (up to 15 points) Budget Narrative (up to 20 points) Total 35

Total Available Points 100

All applications must adhere to the submission guidelines provided in this section and section IV.B.1.a), “A Complete Application.” Omissions will result in the deduction of points from the final score according to the table below up to and including disqualification of the entire application.

Mandatory Item Failure to Adhere Shall Result In Title Page - 5 point deduction Table of Contents - 5 point deduction Applicant Narrative - Disqualification Budget Narrative - Disqualification Required Standard Forms (SF) and Attachments - Disqualification

All project proposals will be evaluated and applicant(s) will be selected based on the level at which the proposal addresses the evaluation criteria above, less any points deducted for failure to include the mandatory items noted above.

B. Review and Selection Process

1. Initial Screening – Prior to the formal review process, each application will receive an initial administrative screening to ensure that all required forms, signatures, and documents are present. An application will not be evaluated by the review panel if:

a) The application is received after the closing date;

b) The application package is not complete;

c) The project synopsis/description fails to address program objectives (see Section I.B, “Program Priorities” and Section I.B.1, “Agency Requirements”);

d) The application falls within the scope of an existing MBDA competitive program or announcement for Federal Funding or duplicates a project previously awarded;

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e) The principal purpose of the activities in the application is to provide a direct benefit or service to MBDA.

2. MBDA Merit Review Panel - Each responsive application will receive an independent merit review by a panel qualified to evaluate the applications submitted based on the published criteria. The review panel will consist of at least three (3) individuals, all of whom could be a combination of full-time federal employees and/or non-federal civilians at least one of whom will be an MBDA employee. Each reviewer shall evaluate and provide individual scores for each proposal based on the criteria set out in this Section (see Application Review Information, above) for a maximum of 100 points. The Applicant Narrative section of the application will be eligible for a total of 65 points; the Applicant Budget section will be eligible for 35 points. The review panel may discuss the application(s) but will not provide a consensus on scores for each applicant. Each application will be reviewed against the criteria individually.

Applications will be ranked by averaging the scores of all reviewers for each application.

Each merit review panel (through the panel Chairperson) shall complete an evaluation with corresponding score. Applications that receive an overall average of 75 points or more will be considered for funding. Applications receiving an average score of 60 to 74 points will be given a second consideration for funding if the panel requests additional information or clarification and if the applicant is able to respond to the panel’s request for additional information/clarification within an allotted time. Thereafter, the Merit Review Panel may rescore these applications. Applications receiving fewer than 60 points will not be considered for funding.

C. Selection Factors

The ranked applications receiving an average score of 75 points or higher or given a second consideration (as noted above) will be forwarded to the Program Manager, Office of Business Development, for review and consideration of the merit panel evaluation, overall average score, innovation, and noted strengths. Upon completion, the Program Manager will forward funding recommendations to the Selecting Official.

The MBDA National Director is the MBDA Selecting Official and makes the final recommendation to the Grants Officer regarding the funding of applications under this Announcement. The Selecting Official will recommend funding for applications evaluated as meritorious based on the final ranking prepared by the Merit Review Panel; however, the Selecting Official may recommend an application for an award outside of the rank order recommended by the Merit Review Panel based on one or more of the following selection factors: the availability of funds, and/or Presidential, Department of Commerce, or MBDA

Notice of Federal Funding Page 19 of 39 priorities.

Prior to making a final recommendation for funding to the Grants Officer, MBDA may conduct negotiations with an applicant regarding the elements of the application and/or may request that the applicant provide written clarifications regarding its application.

D. Anticipated Announcement and Award Dates

Anticipated time for processing awards is one hundred twenty (120) days from the receipt of applications. MBDA anticipates that the awards under this NOFO will be made with start dates of September 1, 2020. Successful applicants may be eligible for pre-award costs.

VI. Award Administration Information

A. Award Notices

The notice of award (CD-450) is executed by the Department of Commerce Grants Officer and is the authorizing document. It is generally provided electronically via the Grants Online system to the Authorized Representative of the recipient organization. The Authorized Representative for a successful applicant will receive instructions from MBDA on how to access the Grants Online system to accept the award.

Anticipated time for processing the award is approximately one hundred twenty (120) days from the receipt of application(s). MBDA anticipates award(s) will be made with a start date of September 1, 2020.

MBDA will notify unsuccessful applicants, in writing, after a final selection has been made and after an offer has been accepted. Those applications that are not ultimately selected for funding will be retained by MBDA for a period of three (3) years after which they will be destroyed.

On occasion, competitive solicitations or competitive panels may produce less than optimum results, such as a competition resulting in the receipt of no applications or a competition resulting in all unresponsive applications received.

B. Administrative and National Policy Requirements

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 December 30, Notice of Federal Funding Page 20 of 39

2014, effective December 26, 2014 (79 FR 78390) are applicable to this solicitation and may be accessed online at: https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2014/12/30/2014- 30297/department-ofcommerce-pre-award-notification-requirements-for-grants-and-cooperativeagreements

Awards made under this announcement are subject to the Department of Commerce Financial Assistance Standard Terms and Conditions. This document will be provided in the award package. This document can be found at:

http://www.osec.doc.gov/oam/grants_management/policy/documents/Department%20of%20 Commerce%20Standard%20Terms%20Conditions%2030%20April%202019.pdf

Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit Requirements: Through 2 C.F.R. § 1327.101, the Department of Commerce adopted Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit Requirements for Federal Awards at 2 C.F.R. Part 200, which apply to awards in this program. Refer to http://go.usa.gov/SBYh and http://go.usa.gov/SBg4

C. Reporting

Reviews - The project is funded for one-year. MBDA will conduct the following reviews for the performance year:

Reviews Conducted Operating Period Semi Annual: Start date through end of month 6 Cumulative Year-End: Start date through end of month 12 MBDA will conduct periodic assessments of the project to verify progress. MBDA will monitor the project throughout the funding award period and maintain open communications with key project staff. The level of monitoring will be dependent on the awarded applicant’s proposed measures, milestones (e.g., outputs and outcomes), and goals.

2. Reporting Requirements - The project is required to provide the following reports:

a) Financial Reports –The financial report shall include details on the use of Federal funds and contributions of non-Federal funds (if proposed). The financial reports are to be submitted to the Department of Commerce via Grants Online on a semi-annual and annual basis. The semi-annual report is due forty-five (45) days after the end of the initial six-month period. The annual report is due within ninety (90) days after the expiration of the award.

b) Progress Report – Progress reports are to be submitted to the Department of Commerce via Grants Online on a semi-annual and annual basis. The semi-annual report is due forty-

Notice of Federal Funding Page 21 of 39 five (45) days after the end of the initial six-month period. The annual report is due within ninety (90) days after the expiration of the award.

The semi-annual and annual reports must include data and information to determine project progression and success. MBDA will rely on these reports, data, and information as evidence for future program design, policy recommendations, and/or statistical purposes.

Note: failure to submit reports in a timely manner may result in MBDA award enforcement and/or delay access to Federal funds.

c) Federal Funding Accountability and Transparency Act of 2006 Reporting - The Federal Funding Accountability and Transparency Act of 2006, 31 U.S.C. 6101 note, includes a requirement for awardees of applicable federal grants to report information about first-tier sub-awards and executive compensation under Federal assistance awards. All awardees of applicable grants and cooperative agreements are required to report to the Federal Sub-award Reporting System (FSRS) available at www.FSRS.gov on all sub-awards over $25,000. Please see the OMB guidance published at 2 CFR Parts 170 and 200, which can be accessed at http://www.ecfr.gov/cgi-bin/text-idx?tpl=/ecfrbrowse/Title02/2cfr200_main_02.tpl.

d) Restrictions Governing Making Grants to Corporations Convicted of Felony Criminal Violations and/or Unpaid Federal Tax Liabilities - In accordance with current Federal appropriations law execution by an applicant of the Representation by Corporations Regarding an Unpaid Delinquent Tax Liability or a Felony Conviction Under Any Federal Law will be required in a format requested by NOAA before any award will be made under this NOFO.

VII. Agency Contacts

Prospective applicants may contact:

Ms. Nakita Chambers MBDA Program Manager U.S. Department of Commerce 1401 Constitution Ave., N.W., Room 5067 Washington, DC 20230 Email: nchambers@mbda.gov Tel: 202-482-0065

VIII. Other Information

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A. Conferences I. Pre-Application Teleconference MBDA will conduct a pre-application teleconference on March 31, 2020. The time of the pre-application teleconference is 2:00 – 3:00 p.m. E.D.T. Participants must register at least 24 hours in advance of the teleconference. Please visit the MBDA Internet Portal at www.mbda.gov to register and additional information.

II. Post Award Teleconference MBDA shall conduct a mandatory post-award teleconference to ensure that the successful applicant has a clear understanding of the project award, terms, conditions, and expectations.

During the post-award teleconference, MBDA will: introduce Federal officers, orient the project operator and key project staff, explain project reporting requirements and procedures, identify available Federal resources that can enhance the capabilities of the project, and provide detailed information about MBDA’s virtual marketing/promotion resources, branding and logo requirements, and other online systems.

III. National Minority Enterprise Development (MED) Week Conference The project operator and key project…