MBDA Women’s Entrepreneurship Program.pdf

FY 2025 Notice of Funding Opportunity

MBDA Women’s Entrepreneurship Program

MBDA Women’s Entrepreneurship Program NOFO

Funding Opportunity Number MBDA-OBC-2025-1002156

NOTICE OF FUNDING OPPORTUNITY

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

Federal Awarding

Agency Name

Minority Business Development Agency (MBDA), U.S.

Department of Commerce (DOC)

Funding Opportunity

Title MBDA Women’s Entrepreneurship Program

Announcement Type

Initial: This Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) is publishing application submission requirements and application review procedures for MBDA’s Women’s Entrepreneurship

Program, through which MBDA plans to award four-year cooperative agreements to non-profit entities for activities designed to increase the capacity of minority business enterprises

(MBEs) to launch, sustain, obtain capital for, and scale their ventures, with a focus on addressing barriers traditionally experienced by women entrepreneurs. This Program is authorized by § 15 U.S.C. 9561.

Funding Opportunity

Number

MBDA-OBC-2025-1002156

Assistance Listing

Number(s)

11.802 Minority Business Resource Development

Key Dates and

Application Submission

Instructions

Email of Intent Deadline: Due February 12, 2025, by 5:00 p.m. Eastern Standard Time. The Email of Intent is voluntary but strongly encouraged. Applicants who decide to submit Emails of

Intent must email them to WEP@mbda.gov as explained in

Section III.D of the NOFO.

Application Deadline: Due March 17, 2025, by 11:59 p.m.

Eastern Standard Time. Applications submitted after this deadline will not be reviewed or considered.

All proposals must be received on or before the deadline.

Applications may be submitted starting from the publication date of this NOFO up to the deadline above. Applications received after the deadline will not be reviewed or considered for funding. Applications must be submitted electronically via grants.gov.

Applicants are responsible for ensuring the completeness of their application.

mailto:WEP@mbda.gov

Funding Opportunity

Description

The MBDA Women’s Entrepreneurship Program (Program or

WEP) is designed to improve the entrepreneurial outcomes of

MBEs, including entrepreneurs at all stages of business development, from ideation to established businesses. While

MBDA encourages applicants to include in their proposal services that address barriers traditionally experienced by women entrepreneurs, all MBEs are eligible to receive services under this Program. This notice requests applications from qualified organizations that have the expertise to provide a range of services including counseling, training, and technical assistance to launch, sustain, obtain capital for, and scale their ventures.

Cost Share and

Match

Requirements

There is no cost-share requirement for this award.

Eligible Applicants

Eligible applicants are limited to organizations that meet both of the following two requirements:

(1) The organization must be a private nonprofit organization as described in paragraph (3), (4), (5), or (6) of section 501(c) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 and exempt from tax under section 501(a); and

(2) The organization must provide – as a primary activity of the organization – services to minority business enterprises, whether through education, making grants or loans, or other similar activities.

See Section III.A, below. Requests from individuals will not be considered for funding.

Pre-Application

Technical Assistance

Webinars and Frequently

Asked Questions (FAQ)

Document

MBDA will conduct a series of pre-application technical assistance webinars with focus areas noted below. These webinars are designed to help prospective applicants understand the

Program so they can prepare competitive grant applications.

• Webinar I – Competition overview, Program priorities and objectives, key dates

• Webinar II – Application review criteria

• Webinar III – Budget best practices and pitfalls to avoid, measuring success and performance

Dates and times for the webinars listed above and any additional webinars will be posted on the MBDA website.

Participants should register at least 24 hours in advance of the webinars. Please visit the MBDA website at www.mbda.gov to register and view recordings of the webinars, as well as other additional information.

MBDA will post responses to questions in a Frequently Asked

Questions (FAQ) on its website to respond to questions. The FAQ will be updated regularly throughout the application period.

Webinar participants can submit questions for possible MBDA inclusion in the FAQs. In addition, applicants may send questions to MBDA via email at wep@mbda.gov. Please note that MBDA will not provide individual responses to questions.

Award Notification

If selected for potential award and approved by the Grants Officer, the applicant can anticipate receiving an award within approximately 150 calendar days of the closing date of the NOFO.

http://www.mbda.gov/

TABLE OF CONTENTS

I. Program Description

A. Program Objectives and Priorities

B. Statutory Authority

II. Award Information

A. Funding Availability

B. Project/Award Period

C. Type of Funding Instrument

III. Eligibility Information

A. Eligible Applicants

B. Cost Share or Matching Requirement

C. Other Criteria That May Affect Eligibility

IV. Application and Submission Information

A. Address to Request Application Package

B. Content and Form of Application

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

D. Submission Dates and Times

E. Intergovernmental Review

F. Funding Restrictions

G. Other Submission Requirements

2. Application Review Information

A. Evaluation Criteria

B. Review and Selection Process

C. Anticipated Announcement and Federal Award Dates

3. Award Administration Information

A. Award Notices

B. Administrative and National Policy Requirements

C. Reporting

4. Agency Contact(s)

5. Other Information

A. Conferences

B. Collaboration with MBDA

C. Past Performance and Non-Compliance with Award Provisions

D. Limitation of Liability

E. Audit Costs

F. Right to Use Information

G. Freedom of Information Act Disclosure

H. NOFO Changes Communicated on Grants.gov

APPENDIX A: DEFINITIONS

APPENDICES

I. Program Description

A. Program Objectives and Priorities

Women own more than 14,017,000 businesses, employ 12,164,000 million people, and generate

$2.7 trillion in revenue.1 Despite a steady increase in women’s business ownership, women entrepreneurs face unique challenges that have led to lower rates of entrepreneurship, revenue, and access to capital among women compared to men. Additionally, minority women entrepreneurs lag other women entrepreneurs in generated revenue but employ more workers on average. Addressing these barriers—and reaching parity for women entrepreneurs—can generate an additional by $7.9 trillion for the U.S. economy.2

MBDA seeks to fund eligible entities to implement the MBDA Women’s Entrepreneurship

Program (WEP or “Program”). Under the Program, eligible entities will implement evidence-based approaches that will increase the capacity of Minority Business Enterprises (MBEs) to launch, sustain, obtain capital for, and scale their ventures. Applicants can propose the approach that is most suitable to the geography and the characteristics of the entrepreneurial ecosystem3 they propose to serve (e.g., types of industries, business climate, resources available to entrepreneurs). Approaches may include cohort-based training programs, accelerators focused on high growth industries, a curriculum-based approach from which entrepreneurs “graduate,” discrete training modules focused on core business management skills, or mentoring and counseling interventions which target ideation and nascent stage entrepreneurs. Approaches must be evidenced-based. Applicants must (1) demonstrate a clear understanding, backed by evidence, of barriers to entrepreneurship, including barriers traditionally experienced by women entrepreneurs, and (2) articulate a clear approach, grounded in existing evidence, to addressing those barriers in a way that will build the capacity of MBEs to launch sustain, obtain capital for, and scale their ventures.

Applicants should demonstrate the efficacy of their programs by citing research or past performance.

To increase the capacity of MBEs and improve their entrepreneurial outcomes, MBDA has established the following priorities for this Program. Applicants must address Priority Area 1

(Access to Capital) and must choose at least one more Priority Area to address in their proposal.

Priority Area 1: Facilitate Access to Capital

Facilitating access to capital for MBEs is critical to ensuring they have fair access to the tools needed to launch their business ventures. For example, even when an entrepreneur has a business-ready idea, they might lack the institutional banking relationships that

1 Wells Fargo (2024) The 2024 Impact of Women-Owned Businesses. https://smallbusinessresources.wf.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/wells-fargo-2024-impact-of-women-owned-businesses.pdf 2 Wells Fargo (2024) The 2024 Impact of Women-Owned Businesses. https://smallbusinessresources.wf.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/wells-fargo-2024-impact-of-women-owned-businesses.pdf 3 An entrepreneurial ecosystem is a set of social, economic, cultural, and political factors that influence the development of entrepreneurs and businesses.

would allow them to access traditional sources of funding. Similarly, they may lack the awareness and capacity to apply for or participate in programs, including government programs, designed to facilitate small business access to capital. Ensuring these entrepreneurs can access capital (including debt or equity), is essential to business sustainability.

Priority Area 2: Support Participation in High Growth Industries4

Women entrepreneurs are underrepresented in high growth industries, including STEM.

While the United States is a leader in research and development, and women comprise nearly half of the American workforce, women represent less than 30 percent of the

STEM workforce, and an even smaller percentage when considering STEM entrepreneurship.5 Providing support to MBEs who seek to launch STEM-focused ventures is essential to supporting our nation’s critical supply chains and increasing participation in high growth industries.

Priority Area 3: Increase Entrepreneurs’ Capacity to Do Business with the Federal

Government

The Federal government is the largest buyer of goods and services in the United States. In

FY 2024, the federal government spent approximately $764 billion on federal contracts.

According to the U.S. Small Business Administration, in FY 2023, 28% of prime contracts were awarded to small businesses representing more than $178.6 billion in federal spending. Women-owned business realized 14 percent of this small business spending or $25.5 billion. Federal contracts are an incredible opportunity to expand small businesses and to create wealth for entrepreneurs. Expanding access to opportunity, including through the business certification process, can increase the number of businesses able to contract with the federal government at competitive prices and create steady income streams for entrepreneurs and their employees.

For this Program, MBE is defined as “a business enterprise— (i) that is not less than 51 percent-owned by 1 or more socially or economically disadvantaged individuals; and (ii) the management and daily business operations of which are controlled by 1 or more socially or economically disadvantaged individuals.” (see 15 U.S.C. 9501(9)). For this Program, the definition of “MBE” includes entrepreneurs at all stages of business development, including nascent or ideation stage entrepreneurs, and does not require or imply any success or experience in any past entrepreneurship activity

An important aspect of the Program will be to document the efficacy of the approach and the impact of its implementation on individual outcomes. As such, applicants will be required to maintain communications with recipients of services funded by this program and establish a process by which data is collected post program completion to support a third-party evaluation that will be funded by MBDA.

4 A high growth industry is an economic sector that experiences significantly higher rates of growth in comparison to other industries (i.e., Artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning, Cybersecurity, Biotechnology and pharmaceuticals, Electric vehicles) 5 U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation. “Reaching the Full Potential of STEM for Women and the U.S. Economy. 2015; National Women’s

Business Council (2023) 2023 Annual Report. https://www.nwbc.gov/annual-reports/2023/report/NWBC_AR_2023_FINAL.pdf

Applicants may provide proposed services in-person, virtually, or through a combination of in-person and virtual services. Awards may fund operational and programmatic costs related to developing and supporting local, statewide, or regional (multi-state) initiatives. However, an applicant proposing to serve MBEs significantly outside its local geographic area must clearly demonstrate a comprehensive understanding of the business ecosystem it hopes to serve and its challenges and opportunities, and provide an effective outreach plan to reach and serve MBEs in that area, industry, or market segment.

Applicants must have an outreach and engagement strategy to ensure that its project reaches a broad array of MBEs. In addition, successful applicants must develop and maintain a webpage accessible to the public that discusses and disseminates information about their project under this

Program. MBDA will provide more detailed webpage requirements, branding requirements, and a license to use any required Program logos as part of the post-award process.

B. Statutory Authority

The statutory authority for the MBDA Women’s Entrepreneurship Program is 15 U.S.C. 9561.

II. Award Information

A. Funding Availability

In fiscal year (FY) 2025, MBDA expects to obligate approximately $2 million for multi-year awards, which MBDA anticipates funding annually, made under this NOFO for the selected proposals; the financial assistance awards will have an overall four-year period of performance. MBDA anticipates making approximately 5 awards under this NOFO.

The funding amount for each award in FY 2025 will be approximately $400,000. MBDA anticipates that an equivalent amount will be available in FY 2026 through FY 2028 to support continuation of the program for the subsequent budget periods (12 months each) of the selected projects.

Receipt of any prospective funding is contingent upon the availability of appropriated funds, satisfactory performance, and continued relevance to program objectives and will be at the sole discretion of MBDA. In addition, MBDA may terminate an award, and thereby decline to fund future years, for failure to comply with the terms and conditions of the award or if an award no longer effectuates MBDA’s program goals or priorities. Publication of this NOFO does not obligate Department of Commerce or MBDA to award any specific cooperative agreement or to obligate all or any part of available funds.

B. Project/Award Period

Subject to availability of funding, MBDA expects to issue awards for a total period of performance of four years from August 1, 2025 – July 31, 2029. The initial budget year will be

12 months. Subsequent budget years will be for 12-month terms, as outlined below.

Budget Year Fiscal Year Months Start and End Dates

C. Type of Funding Instrument

Funding will be made through a cooperative agreement. After the award is made, MBDA will be substantially involved in the activities of this Program, including but not limited to the following anticipated activities:

• Providing training relating to the purpose of this Program, eligible activities, and program performance goals.

• Requiring recipients to participate in a pre-implementation conference with MBDA to review the proposed curricula and emerging program models, services, and performance goals that the recipient will provide and measure.

• Providing necessary guidance and facilitating collaborations with other MBDA programs and initiatives.

• Facilitating collaborations with the Department of Commerce (DOC) and other federal agency programs as appropriate.

• Monitoring activities carried out by the awardee, including by soliciting feedback from participants, including with a focus on women-owned MBEs, as applicable.

• Conducting periodic Program evaluations and providing findings for improvement.

• Funding and participating in a comprehensive evaluation of the Program through a third-party evaluator.

• Establishing and enforcing administrative, communications, and reporting requirements for each awardee.

• Providing access to and training for a performance management reporting system.

III. Eligibility Information

A. Eligible Applicants

Eligible applicants are limited to organizations that meet both of the following two requirements:

(1) The organization must be a private nonprofit organization as described in paragraph (3), (4), (5), or (6) of section 501(c) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 and exempt from tax under section 501(a); and

(2) The organization must provide – as a primary activity of the organization – services to

Minority Business Enterprises, whether through education, making grants or loans, or other similar activities.

Entities must submit documentation and evidence that they meet both eligibility requirements in order to be considered for funding.

Year 1 FY25 12 months August 1, 2025 July 31, 2026

Year 2 FY26 12 months August 1, 2026 July 31, 2027

Year 3 FY27 12 months August 1, 2027 July 31, 2028

Year 4 FY28 12 months August 1, 2028 July 31, 2029

B. Cost Share or Matching Requirement

A non-Federal cost share of the Federal funding is not required. If an applicant provides in-kind contributions to the project, the contributions will not be considered during the evaluation process. Further, any in-kind contributions must be documented and directed towards eligible project costs and meet applicable Federal cost principles and other requirements of the Uniform

Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit Requirements for Federal Awards at 2

CFR Part 200. Revenue may be, but is not required to be, generated from fees for service, client fees, membership fees, or other appropriate fees associated with services or activities funded through this Program as long as they are approved by MBDA. Any income generated must be used towards the project. Awardees cannot charge fees so high that Program-funded services and activities are not accessible to a broad range of MBEs.

C. Other Criteria That May 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 will be made available on the MBDA website (www.mbda.gov).

B. Content and Form of Application

Applications for the Program must be complete and follow the format described in this NOFO. A complete application packet consists of the following forms and required submissions described below. Applications that fail to include all the necessary elements may not be reviewed or considered and may be disqualified.

Required Application Content

1 Project Abstract One (1) page limit

2 Project Narrative Twenty (20) page limit

3 Supporting Documents (i.e., letters of commitment, resumes)

4 Standard Forms

• SF-424 (Application for Federal Assistance)

• SF-424A (Budget Information Non-Construction Programs)

• SF-424B (Assurances for Non-Construction Programs)

• CD-511 (Certification Regarding Lobbying)

• SF-LLL (Disclosure of Lobbying Activities) (if applicable)

5 Budget Narrative

7 Indirect Cost Rate (ICR) Agreement Documentation (if applicable) https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-2/subtitle-A/chapter-II/part-200 https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-2/subtitle-A/chapter-II/part-200 http://www.grants.gov/

Required Application Content

8 Project Performance Worksheet (see Section II.2.c, below, for requirements)

1. Project Abstract (One (1) page limit)

At a minimum, the project abstract page must provide the applicant’s name, address, telephone number, email address, date of submission, project executive summary, brief description of project goals, and the Funding Opportunity Number. Applicants should also provide the following additional information: the project title, total budget, start and end dates, and the names, affiliations, complete mailing addresses, email addresses, and telephone numbers of all key person(s) who will lead the project the proposal. Note: The executive summary should be no more than 250 words that includes a description of the approach that will be used and the priorities that will be addressed. If your application is selected for funding, MBDA may publish this executive summary, or portions of it, on its or other relevant websites and via social media.

See Appendix A for a template.

2. Project Narrative (Twenty (20) page limit)

All applications must contain a detailed project narrative with defined sections as described below. All pages of the application must be consecutively numbered. Material beyond 20 pages may not be read or considered. Applicants are encouraged to provide a clear and concise narrative that includes a compelling justification for the project and articulates the needs of the geographic area, the efficacy of curricula to be developed and implemented, and MBEs to be served.

a. Project Description: The applicant should fully describe and explain what is being proposed, including:

i. The geographic region where services will be provided and the need for focused entrepreneurial development services as established through data.

Applicants should also describe the regional ecosystems in which they operate, which could include economic makeup, rural versus urban areas, and demographic information. The location and geographic area should directly correspond to Questions 14 and 16 on the SF-424. (see Section

V.A.1.a (i.e., Evaluation Criteria 1.a))

ii. A detailed description of the approach that will be utilized (including the types of businesses that will be served – e.g., ideation phase entrepreneurs, growth-stage businesses, any industries of focus, etc.) and how it will lead to the realization of project and entrepreneurial outcomes. Approaches and the activities that will be implemented must address at least two of the

Program’s Priority Areas (see Section I.A, above). (see Section V.A.1.b

(i.e., Evaluation Criterion 1.b))

iii. Identification and description of key stakeholders and partners that will be leveraged to accomplish the Program’s objectives. If the Applicant proposes to leverage third-party partnerships and their respective resources to accomplish the proposed project under this NOFO, the Applicant must provide proof of commitment by the third party as an attachment to the proposal. (see Section V.A.1.c (i.e., Evaluation Criterion 1.c))

iv. Description of the strategies the project will implement to drive the participation of MBEs in the project. This includes but is not limited to the applicant’s outreach strategy. If the applicant proposes to leverage stakeholders or other partners for outreach or awareness raising, the applicant should provide a description of those stakeholders’/partners’ roles and an indication that they have agreed to collaborate with or partner with the project. (see Section V.A.1.d (i.e., Evaluation Criterion 1.d)).

v. To the extent an applicant seeks to receive bonus points as outlined in the

Bonus Points section of the Evaluation Criteria in this NOFO, the applicant must provide a detailed description and justification that aligns with the Bonus Points categories identified.

b. Applicant Capability: The applicant must present information describing the experience and qualifications of the organization to carry out the proposed project. The application should include the following information:

i. A concise summary of the Applicant’s organization; its mission and programs, experience, projects or services similar to those proposed; and a list of previous or current projects or services relevant to the proposal. (see

Section V.A.2.a (i.e., Evaluation Criterion 2.a))

ii. A clear explanation of how the organization meets the following eligibility criterion: “The organization must provide – as a primary activity of the organization – services to minority business enterprises, whether through education, making grants or loans, or other similar activities.” Applicants should provide evidence to support their explanation (see Eligibility

Criterion in Section III.A, above).

iii. An overview that emphasizes the applicant’s experience and strategies for the provision of women-focused evidence-based entrepreneurial development support services. This should include past metrics or accomplishments demonstrating success serving MBEs. (see Section

V.A.2.b (i.e., Evaluation Criterion 2.b))

iv. Applicants should provide proof of capability to implement and manage a project of the type, scope, and breadth proposed. This should include a discussion of financial and management infrastructure and can include, but is not limited to, public records of accomplishments, public citations, and/or letters of referrals or recommendations as attachments to the proposal. (see Section V.A.2.c (i.e., Evaluation Criterion 2.c))

v. A chart showing the Applicant’s organizational structure, including a functional statement noting the duties and/or responsibilities of all units that will comprise the organization during the period for which the proposal applies. Applicants must also provide a brief narrative outlining the reporting structure and/or governance of the Project. (see Section

V.A.2.d (i.e., Evaluation Criterion 2.d))

vi. Applicants must provide a one-page bio or resume for each of the

Applicant’s key personnel(s) showing relevant experience of the leader(s).

MBDA expects that an Administrator or Department Head or other staff with similar authority will serve as the Project Director, to oversee the success of the proposed project. The biographies and attachments should be included as attachments to your proposal and will not count toward the

20-page limit. Applicants must identify a Project Director, however, if the identified person is not currently employed by the applicant, the Project

Start-up Narrative should note when the person will be onboarded. (see

Section V.A.2.d (i.e., Evaluation Criterion 2.d))

c. Project Performance and Start-up: The Project Performance and Start-up narrative communicates how the proposed project’s progress, production, and impact will be measured. This narrative should clearly describe how the project’s activities will generate results for MBDA’s performance measures. Applicants are encouraged to be data driven, which may require them to collect more data than what MBDA requires for performance reporting. The Project Performance and

Start-up narrative has three components: 1) Project Impact narrative, 2) Project

Performance Worksheet, and 3) Project Start-up narrative.

i. The Project Impact narrative should clearly describe what your proposed intervention intends to accomplish; how the goals, activities, and measures align; how data will be collected; how project activities will generate results for MBDA’s and project specific performance measures, and importantly, how the curricula will yield improved entrepreneurial outcomes. Applicants must present a clearly articulated theory(s) of change for the curricula that will be developed and implemented.

Importantly, applicants must describe how data will be collected and how data will be used to inform program delivery. (see Section V.A.3.a (i.e., Evaluation Criterion 3.a))

ii. The Project Performance Worksheet must be in spreadsheet format that will present the core measures that are required by MBDA as well as project-specific measures that the applicant proposes to track through the life of the project. (see Section V.A.3.b (i.e., Evaluation Criterion 3.b).

For each measure, the applicant must propose a numeric target. The template must include the following:

a. Core Measures (Clients Served, Capital Infusion, New Business

Starts, Jobs Created and Retained, and Percentage of

Businesses Realizing Revenue Growth), which are quantifiable indicators used to determine if a project or program is achieving its desired objectives. See Appendix C for additional details.

b. Numeric Targets keyed to each Core Measure (i.e., the anticipated number of clients you will serve, new business starts to be realized, jobs supported, and the dollar value of capital that program participants will obtain).

c. Project-specific measures and related numeric targets, if applicable.

d. Note: Targets must be disaggregated by year and by quarter.

Grantees should make every effort to reflect seasonality in their projections (seasonality is the presence of regular fluctuations in a time series with peaks and troughs that can be observed and measured). Similarly, MBDA recommends that applicants ensure that their proposed numeric targets for the beginning of the program reflect project ramp-up and anticipated start date for delivery/implementation of the proposed approach.

iii. The Project Start-up narrative should clearly describe the operational processes and procedures that will be deployed to launch the project, such as hiring key staff (i.e., Director); securing locations to house the project;

finalizing partnership agreements; and ensuring readiness for transmitting data to MBDA. Importantly, awardees can use the systems of their choice to collect data. However, MBDA will provide post-award guidance on the submission of data and participation in the evaluation of the WEP

Program.

3. Supporting Documents

If cited in the proposal, the applicant must provide the following additional documentation that supports the proposed project, including:

• Memoranda of Understanding or Memoranda of Agreement between project partners.

• Letters of Support, Letters of Commitment, or other evidence of existing strategic relationships, collaborations, or alliances. Letters of Support or Commitment should be signed by an individual authorized to commit the organization. Letters of Support or

Commitment that provide detail about how the entity intends to support the applicant and/or engage with the project will be viewed as more competitive.

• Resumes of the proposed project director and key project staff

• Data/literature cited in the Project Narrative.

• Letters of recommendation from MBEs who were served by the applicant, if available.

4. Standard Forms (SF), Budget Narrative and Matching Commitment

The applicant must provide the required Standard Forms, attachments, and budget information as described in the section below.

a. Standard Application Forms. Please refer to the application package available through Grants.gov. Please review each form to determine which is required with the application. 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 organization representative. Electronic signatures submitted through

Grants.gov satisfy this requirement. ONE SF-424 form will cover all budget years. Please note that the authorized organization representative will be recognized as the main point of contact to receive official notifications on the application throughout the competition and to sign on behalf of the organization.

ii. SF-424A. Budget Information-Non-Construction Programs. Applicants must submit a SEPARATE 424A for EACH budget year. In Section D, Forecasted Cash Needs, the total federal amount that can be expended may not exceed $400,000. The maximum drawdown amount may not exceed $400,000 for each year of the four-year award.

iii. SF-424B. Assurances for Non-Construction Programs. The SF-424B must be signed by the authorized organization representative.

iv. Budget Narrative. A detailed budget narrative must be completed and submitted for all non-construction applications. The Federal and non-federal share amounts must be separated out for each budget year. (see additional information below)

v. SF-LLL. Disclosure of Lobbying Activities (if applicable)

vi. Commerce Department (CD)-511. Certification Regarding Lobbying.

b. Budget Narrative. Applicants MUST provide a clear budget narrative that identifies and justifies how funds in each cost category will be used to support the proposed project. The budget narrative should specifically address each budget line item (including both the Federal and matching non-Federal share). Please note that the budget narrative total should match exactly the total project costs listed in both the SF-424, Question 18, Line g (“TOTAL”) and the appropriate

Federal and non-Federal total fields of the SF-424A. Please also note that successful applicants will be required to develop and maintain a project-specific webpage through the duration of the project. Applicants should plan their budgets accordingly. MBDA will provide post-award guidance regarding webpage requirements and branding requirements.

c. Required Travel Item(s). Travel expenses for all required travel items should include transportation, lodging, and per diem and must align with the current

Federal travel guidelines, found at https://www.gsa.gov/policy-regulations/regulations/federal-travel-regulation

i. Applicants are required to budget for a 4-day trip for two staff persons

(one of whom must be the project director) to attend MBDA’s Women’s

Entrepreneurship Program Implementation Meeting in Washington, DC, during the first year of the program. The Implementation Meeting is a one-time event.

ii. Applicants are required to budget for two additional trips for each year of the program for up to two staff persons (one of whom must be the project director):

• MBDA’s Minority Enterprise Development (MED) Week, and

• MBDA’s National Training Conference.

• Applicants should plan for each trip to be 4 days. The location of the events may vary. To estimate costs, please use Washington, DC as the location. Applicants may also budget for a Program https://www.gsa.gov/policy-regulations/regulations/federal-travel-regulation https://www.gsa.gov/policy-regulations/regulations/federal-travel-regulation participant (i.e., recipient of Program-funded services) to travel to

MED Week each year, subject to MBDA input and approval.

MBDA will notify applicants no later than two months in advance of each planned event whether in-person attendance is required or whether virtual attendance is permissible. If virtual attendance is permissible, applicants will be allowed to reallocate the associated travel budget items to other line items.

5. Indirect Cost Rate Agreement Documentation (as applicable)

Applicants requesting to use established indirect cost rate are required to submit a copy of their current and signed Federally negotiated indirect cost rate agreement with the application package. If an applicant does not have a current indirect cost rate established by a cognizant

Federal agency, provide a statement to this effect. If a successful applicant includes indirect costs in the budget that exceed the de minimis rate (discussed below) and has not established an indirect cost rate with a cognizant Federal agency, the applicant will be required to obtain such a rate in accordance with Section B.06 of the Department of Commerce Financial Assistance

Standard Terms and Conditions, dated November 12, 2020.

Alternatively, in accordance with 2 CFR § 200.414(f), a non-Federal entity that does not have a current negotiated indirect cost rate may elect to charge a de minimis rate of 15 percent of modified total direct costs. Applicants proposing a 15 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.

6. Format Requirements

All pages should be single-spaced and should be composed in at least 11-point font with one-inch margins. The total proposal shall not exceed 30 pages, including the project abstract, project narrative, literature cited, budget narrative, project timeline, and organizational structure.

The following items are not included in the 30-page limit:

• Resumes/bios of key personnel

• Required forms (i.e., Standard Forms 424, CD-511, etc.)

• Letters of support and/or matching funds letters of commitment

• Letters of recommendation from entrepreneurs served by the applicant

Failure to follow these 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 eligible for an exception under 2 CFR § 25.110) is required to:

https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-2/subtitle-A/chapter-II/part-200/subpart-E/subject-group-ECFRd93f2a98b1f6455/section-200.414 https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-2/subtitle-A/chapter-II/part-200/subpart-E/subject-group-ECFRd93f2a98b1f6455/section-200.414

• Register in the System for Award Management (SAM), before applying.

• Provide a valid unique entity identifier in the application; and,

• Continue to maintain an active SAM registration with current information during the entire period that the applicant has an active Federal award or an application 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 March 17, 2025, at 11:59:59 pm Eastern

Standard Time (EST). Applications may be submitted starting from the publication date of this NOFO up to the deadline above. Applications received after the deadline will not be reviewed or considered for funding. Applications must be submitted electronically via grants.gov. The electronic submission will receive a date and time stamp 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. Applicants are strongly encouraged to submit applications as early as possible. Waiting to apply at the end of the competition period puts an application at risk; be sure to allow ample time.

In addition, please note the following:

• MBDA will not accept any unsolicited changes, additions, revisions, or deletions to applications after the submission deadline.

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

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

• See Section V of this NOFO for application review and selection information.

Applicants are strongly encouraged to start early and not to wait until near the application deadline before logging on and reviewing the instructions for submitting an application through

Grants.gov. Applicants should SAVE AND PRINT WRITTEN PROOF of an electronic submission made at Grants.gov. If problems occur while using Grants.gov, the applicant is advised to print any error message received and contact Grants.gov immediately. You can find contact information for Grants.gov on its website, including at https://www.grants.gov/support at the time of publication of this NOFO.

MBDA, in its sole discretion, may pre-approve in writing submission via an alternate method

(e.g., email) due to a systems issue at Grants.gov only insofar as any such systems issue is beyond the control of the applicant. However, any submission via this alternate method must be received before the deadline. See Section IV, part G regarding what does and does not constitute a systems issue. LATE APPLICATIONS WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED for any reason, including but not limited to late submissions caused by issues with Grants.gov, SAM, or

AOR registrations. In situations described in this subsection, applications must have email or facsimile receipt timestamps no later than the application deadline or must be postmarked or the equivalent on or before the application deadline. An application that is not timestamped or postmarked, as applicable, by the application deadline WILL NOT BE REVIEWED.

Applicants are responsible for ensuring the completeness of their application.

E. Intergovernmental Review

Applications under this program are not subject to Executive Order 12372, Intergovernmental

Review of Federal Programs.

F. Funding Restrictions

The following activities and associated costs are not allowable under this Program. Such costs may not be charged to the Federal share or matching share of the award.

• Construction: Construction activities are not allowable under this program. For the purposes of an award made pursuant to this NOFO, construction includes any activity that disturbs the ground or modifies a structure.

• Equity Investments & Loans: The use of award funds for equity investments, loans, or grants to entrepreneurs or businesses is not allowable under this program. Thus, the cost of any equity investment, loan, or grant is not an allowable cost under an award. Neither

Federal nor matching share funds may be invested in startups or other companies, whether through equity, debt, hybrid, or another mechanism. Similarly, services funded by Federal or matching share cannot be exchanged for equity or otherwise used as the basis for an equity stake in a company.

• Scholarship Programs: The use of award funds to pay a student’s college or university tuition in the form of a scholarship or fellowship is not allowable under this Program.

The cost of developing and implementing (e.g., paying the salaries of staff who review applications and conduct outreach) a scholarship program could be allowable under this

Program. However, the actual payment of tuition dollars to fund individual scholarships or a pool of scholarships is not allowable under this Program.

G. Other Submission Requirements

To apply through Grants.gov, an applicant must register for a Grants.gov user ID and password.

Note that this process can take between three to five business days or as long as four weeks if all steps are not completed correctly. The most up-to-date instructions for application submission via Grants.gov can be found at https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/applicants/apply-for-grants.html. Applicants already registered with Grants.gov do not need to re-register; however, https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/applicants/apply-for-grants.html https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/applicants/apply-for-grants.html all registered organizations must keep their System for Award Management (SAM) registration up to date through sam.gov or their applications will not be accepted by Grants.gov.

1. New Grants.gov Users

New Grants.gov users should note that the registration process can be lengthy, requires interaction with multiple organizations not affiliated with MBDA, and requires confirmation at each step. Applicants should register as organizations, not individuals. The process requires the applicant to appoint one or more Authorized Organization Representatives (AOR). The AORs registered at Grants.gov are the only officials with the authority to submit applications for an applicant. An applicant may authorize multiple AORs for Grants.gov. Below are instructions for registering as an organization:

• Obtain a UEI Number: To obtain the required Unique Entity Identifier, please go to

SAM.gov | Entity Registrations to register. All applicants must have a UEI to do business with the Federal government.

• Register with SAM: Access https://www.sam.gov. The applicant needs to identify the authorizing official of its organization and an Employer Identification Number

(EIN) (7-10 business days).

• Create Grants.gov Username and Password: Complete the Authorized Organization

Representative (AOR) profile and create a username and password. The applicant will need to use its organization's UEI number (same day).

• Authorize the AOR: Request approval, then the applicant’s E-Biz POC must log in to Grants.gov to confirm the AOR (same day).

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

• Download an application package: Use Funding Opportunity Number MBDA-

OBC-2025-1002156 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 click the "Submit Tracking Numbers" button. Note, confirmation of successful submission may require 48 hours (allow 2 days).

https://sam.gov/content/entity-registration https://www.sam.gov/ http://www.grants.gov/custom/spoExit.jsp?p=/apply/OrcRegister http://www.grants.gov/web/grants/applicants/download-application-package.html

2. Electronic Submission

The electronic submission date is the date that applications have been submitted electronically and received by 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 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.

The time it takes to completely upload an application will vary depending on several factors, including the size of the application, the speed of the applicant’s Internet connection, and the time it takes Grants.gov to process the application. If Grants.gov rejects the application, the applicant must resubmit the entire application and receive a date and time stamp from

Grants.gov. The Grants.gov time stamp will be considered the date and time of submission receipt. Before beginning to apply through Grants.gov, please review the application instructions posted at Grants.gov.

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. Please see above for the email submission method that you may use if you encounter technical issues with grants.gov. Please note in particular the requirement to provide documentation proving that you diligently attempted to submit your application via 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 https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/learn-grants/grants-101/getting-started-checklist.html.

2. Application Review Information

Throughout the review and selection process, MBDA reserves the right to seek clarification and corrected or missing documents in writing from applicants whose applications are being reviewed. MBDA may additionally ask applicants to clarify application materials or modify budgets or other specifics necessary to comply with Federal requirements.

A. Evaluation Criteria

Each application will be evaluated based on criteria included below. The number of points that can be earned for each category of criteria is listed below. A maximum total of 100 points may be earned for required criteria and up to an additional 10 bonus points may be earned points for

MBDA strategic priority areas, for a maximum possible total of 110 points.

Summary of Evaluation Criteria

1 Project Description 50 points

2 Applicant Capability 25 points

3 Project Objectives, Metrics, and Implementation 25 points

4 Bonus Points 10 points

Total Available Application Points 110 points

1. Project Description (50 points total)

This criterion considers the proposal’s alignment with MBEs’ needs and the geographic context in which the project will operate, the strength of the proposed activities under this

Program, the proposal’s alignment with at least two of the Program’s Priority Areas (see

Section I.A.), and the strength of the proposed partnerships. Accordingly, the proposal will be assessed on the following specific criteria:

a. The proposal’s clear identification of the geographic region where services will be provided and a…