MBDA-OBD-2019-2006047 Full Announcement.pdf

American Indian, Alaksa Native, and Native Hawaiian Project

TABLE OF CONTENTS

I. Funding Opportunity Description 3

A. Program Objective 3 B. Program Priorities 3 C. Program Authority 6

II. Award Information 7 A. Funding Availability 7 B. Project/Award Period 7 C. Type of Funding Instrument 7

III. Eligibility Information 7 A. Eligible Applicants 7 B. Cost Sharing or Matching Requirement 7 C. Other Criteria that Affect Eligibility 8

IV. Application and Submission Information 8 A. Address to Request Application Package 8 B. Content and Form of Application 8 C. Unique Entity Identifier and System for Award Management (SAM) 13 D. Submission Dates and Times 13 E. Intergovernmental Review 13 F. Funding Restrictions 14 G. Other Submission Requirements 14

V. Application Review Information 17 A. Evaluation Criteria 17 B. Review and Selection Process 21 C. Selection Factors 22 D. Anticipated Announcement and Award Dates 22

VI. Award Administration Information 23 A. Award Notices 23 B. Administrative and National Policy Requirements 23 C. Reporting 24

VII. Agency Contacts 25 VIII. Other Information 25

Federal Funding Opportunity Page 1 of 28

ANNOUNCEMENT OF FEDERAL FUNDING OPPORTUNITY

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

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

Funding Opportunity Title: American Indian, Alaksa Native, and Native Hawaiian Project

Announcement Type: Initial

Funding Opportunity Number: MBDA-OBD-2019-2006047

Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance (CFDA) Number: 11.804, MBDA Business Center - American Indian & Alaska Native

Dates: Complete applications will be accepted in Grants.gov up to 11:59 p.m. Eastern Daylight Time on May 26, 2019. 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 for businesses within the American Indian, Alaska Native, and Native Hawaiian communities. This notice also provides the public with information and guidelines on how MBDA will select proposals and administer discretionary Federal assistance under this Broad Agency Announcement (BAA).

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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.

This Announcement provides information about the Agency’s strategic priorities for the American Indian, Alaska Native, and Native Hawaiian project (AIANNH) businesses to encourage new activities, education, outreach, innovative projects that are not addressed through other MBDA programs. This announcement is not a method for awarding congressionally directed funds or existing funded awards. The focus areas of the AIANNH project are job creation and retention, and economic impact for Tribal communities and businesses. The AIANNH projects may provide services including, but not limited to:

entrepreneurial assistance, training, capital access, Federal procurement assistance, networking and relationship management, deal sourcing, joint ventures and partnerships, strategic infrastructure and economic planning assistance, and education for entrepreneurial and tribal entities.

In the Fiscal Year 2019 appropriations bill, Congress authorized MBDA to provide funding through competitive agreements, external awards, and grants to organizations that foster, promote, and develop minority business enterprise. See Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2019, Pub. L. No. 116-6 (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 program initiative presented in this announcement is:

American Indian, Alaska Native, and Native Hawaiian Project – This project provides

Federal Funding Opportunity Page 3 of 28 support for the American Indian, Alaska Native, and Native Hawaiian communities (AIANNH) and has been one focus area of MBDA’s overall support for minority business development since the Agency’s inception. MBDA incorporated feedback into this BAA from six (6) Tribal Consultations conducted to gain an understanding of ways to better support business and economic development needs in the AIANNH communities.

MBDA will provide financial assistance to support innovative projects seeking to impact one or more core needs for AIANNH entities and businesses. Although AIANNH businesses experience a range of common needs and problems that impede growth, MBDA has identified the following three Strategic Initiatives to support Tribal and native business growth:

1. AIANNH Strategic Initiatives

a) Innovation and Entrepreneurship (e.g., business training, access to capital, incubators, accelerators, Federal program coaching);

b) Strategic Planning (e.g., fostering, developing and/or implementing entrepreneurial and economic development); and

c) Transformative Projects (e.g., support for MBEs involved in infrastructure focused public-private partnerships, and broadband projects).

2. AIANNH Locations

The following twelve (12) regions have been designated by the Bureau of Indian Affairs for the delivery of program services to the federally recognized tribes and individual Indians and Alaska Natives, whether directly or through contracts, grants or compacts: (1) Alaska; (2) Northwest (Idaho, Oregon and Washington); (3) Pacific (California); (4) Rocky Mountain (Montana and Wyoming); (5) Western (Nevada, Arizona, and Utah); (6) Great Plains (North Dakota, South Dakota, and Nebraska); (7) Navajo; (8) Southwest (Colorado and New Mexico); (9) Southern Plains (Kansas, Western Oklahoma and Texas); (10) Eastern Oklahoma; (11) Midwest (Iowa, Michigan, Minnesota, and Wisconsin); and (12) Eastern Area (including the states of Alabama, Arkansas, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Illinois, Indiana, Louisiana, Maine, Massachusetts, Missouri, Mississippi, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Tennessee, Vermont, Virginia, West Virginia). MBDA also recognizes Native Hawaiians for service under this Announcement.

Note: Award recipients may be located in any U.S. State or U.S. territory, servicing Tribal and native businesses in a federally recognized and MBDA recognized location. Applicants

Federal Funding Opportunity Page 4 of 28 must define the designated location that it will impact through the award.

MBDA anticipates making awards under this announcement up to $3,300,000. The funding amount for each award will be determined by the agency based on the proposal submitted.

All awards made under this announcement will, in the aggregate, total approximately $3,300,000.

3. Agency Requirements for Each Project

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 a U.S. State or U.S.

Territory servicing Tribal and native businesses in one of the locations designated in AIANNH Locations section (I.B.2 above). Applications must identify the designated location that it will impact through the award.

c) Performance – Funded projects must align with the MBDA program priorities as described in Section I.B. above. Further, applications must address one of the three (3) AIANNH Strategic Initiatives section (I.B.1 above) in order to support Tribal and native business growth.

d) Innovation - Applications must address the unique challenges faced by AIANNH communities and businesses in the designated locations and are encouraged to use innovative approaches to address these challenges.

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 BAA AIANNH initiative and for the purpose of pilot or demonstration projects designed to overcome their challenges: Native Americans (Including American Indians), Alaska Natives (including Alaska Native Corporations and Tribal entities), Native Hawaiians, and Pacific Islander Americans, African Americans, Hispanic Americans, Hasidic Jews, and Asian Indians.

f) Collaboration – MBDA plans to re-establish the Office of Native American Business Development (ONABD/MBDA in FY2019.

In order to remain consistent with the Agency’s mission, MBDA would like applications to

Federal Funding Opportunity Page 5 of 28 allow for the measurement of growth in the AIANNH business community through the elements listed in the table below. Applicants should plan projects that allow them to set goals in these areas and to capture success stories.

Measures and Goals Number of MBEs Served* Economic Growth** Number of Success Stories

*Number of MBEs Served will vary based on the strategic priority category chosen by the applicant to support Tribal and native business growth. For example, an applicant that chooses to serve Native firms in Innovation and Entrepreneurship through technical assistance may track the number of clients assisted. Alternatively, an applicant that chooses to serve Tribal entities through Strategic Planning may count the number of Tribes assisted as well as the number of clients assisted.

**Economic Growth will vary based on the Strategic Initiative chosen by the applicant to support Tribal and native business growth (see section I.B.1(a) through (c), Innovation and Entrepreneurship, Strategic Planning, and Transformative Projects). For example, an applicant that chooses to serve Native firms in Innovation and Entrepreneurship through technical assistance may track the annual sales increase of the firm assisted. Alternatively, an applicant that chooses to engage in Transformative Projects, such as supporting infrastructure development, may quantify the anticipated and/or actual economic impact to Tribe economies.

Note, successful applicant(s) may be offered access to MBDA’s customer relationship management (CRM) tool (operating on a SalesForce cloud-based platform) to assist with capturing relevant service to designated customers, activities, and outcomes. The CRM tool may support the project to measure the progress of the award in real time and facilitate quarterly submission of required status reports.

Information, datasets, and reports provided by the award recipient and information captured in the CRM pertaining to the client served may be retained and used by MBDA for program evaluation and statistical purposes.

C. Program Authority

Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2019, Pub. L. No. 116-6 (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

Federal Funding Opportunity Page 6 of 28 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 $3,300,0000 in fiscal year (FY) 2019 funds for the financial assistance awards under this Announcement. The funding amount for each award will be determined by the agency based on the proposal submitted. The funding amounts referenced in this Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) are subject to the availability of appropriated funds. Publication of this BAA does not obligate the U.S.

Department of Commerce or MBDA to award any specific grant or cooperative agreement or to obligate all or any part of available funds.

B. Project/Award Period

MBDA will issue awards for a two-year term, to be funded one year at a time, from September 1, 2019 through August 31, 2021. Funding for the second year is contingent upon satisfactory performance in the prior year (Year 1) based on proposed goals and maintenance of strategic program priorities. 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.

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: Indian Tribal governments, Tribal entities, Alaska Native Corporations, Native Hawaiian entities, 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

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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). Additional competition materials can be found on the MBDA Internet Portal (www.mbda.gov).

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 one of the specific AIANNH Strategic Initiatives the proposal is designed to address. (See Section I.B.1 above).

1. Content Requirements

a) A Complete Application - 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, the Funding Opportunity Number, and the proposed MBDA initiative the proposal addresses.

(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.

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(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) or long term (within 1-2 years of award);

(iv) 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;

(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 other relevant measure(s) and goal(s) as proposed by the applicant; and

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

(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.

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(i) Organizational Outline. A concise outline of what the applicant organization does, a discussion of experience with similar projects or services as those proposed, and an explanation of experience dealing with the specific subject matter involved with the MBDA initiative the proposal covers, 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 BAA.

(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 (e.g., expertise and/or experience working with AIANNH communities related to the AIANNH Strategic Initiative Category) 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 BAA, 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.

(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;

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(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 quarterly goals.

(4) Supporting Documents (Three (3) page limit) Literature Cited (if applicable). The applicant may provide additional information that supports the proposed project. Literature Cited (if submitted) 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.

(b) Budget Breakout. 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

Federal Funding Opportunity Page 11 of 28 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 two items:

(i) Minority Enterprise Development Week; and

(ii) Minority National 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 VIII, “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

Federal Funding Opportunity Page 12 of 28 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 May 26, 2019 at 11:59:59 pm Eastern Daylight Time (EDT). Applications may be submitted starting from the publication date of this Broad Agency Announcement (BAA) 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

Applications under this project are not subject to Executive Order 12372, Federal Funding Opportunity Page 13 of 28

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.

The NOAA contact for Facilities and Administrative (Indirect) Cost Rate is:

Lamar Revis, Grants Officer NOAA Grants Management Division 1325 East West Highway, 9th Floor Silver Spring, MD 20910 Lamar.Revis@noaa.gov

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 BAA.

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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.

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/web/grants/applicants/applicant-tools-and-tips.html.

3. Returning Grants.Gov Users - Organizations already registered with Grants.gov do not

Federal Funding Opportunity Page 15 of 28 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 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 website http://fedgov.dnb.com/webform (1-2 business days).

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-2019- 2006047 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).

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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 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.

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

V. Application Review Information

A. Evaluation Criteria

The successful applicant will possess experience that is substantive to the area(s) related to the AIANNH Strategic Initiative (See section I.B.1). 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 under the AIANNH Strategic Initiative.

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) or long

Federal Funding Opportunity Page 17 of 28 term (within 1-2 years 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); and a description of how the project will be able to adapt to any operational and/or performance challenges. (5 points)

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, and an explanation of experience dealing with the specific subject matter involved with the MBDA initiative the proposal covers, and a list of previous or current projects or services relevant to the proposal. 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 BAA. (5 points)

(2) 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)

(3) Organizational Value. A section that highlights the applicant’s organizational contribution to partner with MBDA (e.g., expertise and/or experience working with AIANNH communities related to the AIANNH Strategic Initiative) 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 BAA, the applicant will need to provide proof of commitment by the third party as an

Federal Funding Opportunity Page 18 of 28 attached document in the proposal. (5 points)

(4) 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. (5 points)

(5) 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)

(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) 25 Applicant Capability (up to 25 points) 25 Project Goals and Objectives (up to 15 points) 15

Applicant Narrative Total 65

2. Applicant Budget (35 points) - This section of the project proposal will be evaluated on the criteria identified below. Section IV.B.1.a)(5), Standard Forms and Budget Narrative above, provides detailed cost proposal requirements.

a) 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

Federal Funding Opportunity Page 19 of 28 of the SF-424 and SF424A. Costs must align.

b) 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.

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

(a) Minority Enterprise Development Week

(b) MBDA National 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.

Evaluation Criteria Points Budget Breakdown (up to 15 points) 15 Budget Narrative (up to 20 points) 20 Applicant Budget 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.

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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

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 one of the above-listed AIANNH Strategic Initiative (see Section I.B.1, “Program Priorities”);

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

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

f) The application includes two or more AIANNH Strategic Initiative Categories

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

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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 (i.e., applications will not be compared to others).

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 may be given a second consideration for funding if the applicant is able to respond to the panel’s request for additional information/negotiation within an allotted time. Applications receiving fewer than 60 points will not be considered for funding.

C. Selection Factors

Applications receiving an average score of 75 points or higher or given a second consideration (as noted above) will be forwarded to the Office of the Associate Director, Office of Business Development for review and consideration of the merit panel evaluation, overall average score, and innovation and noted strengths. Upon completion, the Office of the Associate Director, Office of Business Development 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 may recommend funding for applications evaluated as meritorious based on the merit panel review; the availability of funds; and Presidential, Department of Commerce, and MBDA 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 sixty (60) to seventy-five (75) days from the receipt of applications. MBDA anticipates that the awards under this BAA will be made with start dates of September 1, 2019. Successful applicants may be eligible for pre-award costs.

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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 sixty (60) to seventy-five (75) days from the receipt of application(s). MBDA anticipates award(s) will be made with a start date of September 1, 2019.

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, 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%20&%20Conditions%2009%20October%202018.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

Federal Funding Opportunity Page 23 of 28 http://go.usa.gov/SBg4

C. Reporting

The project is funded for one-year at time. MBDA will conduct the following reviews for each performance…