power ffo appendix c - sba sources sought insert final w ss link.pdf

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Appendix C. SBA Regional Innovation Clusters

In coordination with the POWER Initiative, SBA will be seeking proposals from cluster initiatives for its Regional Innovation Cluster program. The SBA intends to make one contract award to an entity that will provide cluster initiative services to a community affected by changes in the coal economy. SBA is interested in proposals that: (a) support the growth of a regional cluster; (b) demonstrate strong regional, bottom-up support; (c) are market-driven; (d) demonstrate high potential for success and sustainability; and (e) closely align with emerging trends. These clusters initiatives will involve public-private partnerships that align federal resources and programs – including SBA’s entrepreneurial education network, lending and investing partners, business development programs and Small Business Innovation Research program – with existing state and local resources, regional strengths, and economic growth opportunities in communities both within the region and beyond.

Please note that the SBA expects to issue a contract solicitation for cluster initiative services on

June 1 st , 2015, which will be listed with full application instructions on FedBizOpps.gov

(www.fbo.gov). For additional information, please refer to the Sources Sought notice posted concurrently with the POWER FFO on FedBizOpps.gov:

https://www.fbo.gov/index?s=opportunity&mode=form&id=02d9b540fa80138d5d02a1e778166 c9a&tab=core&_cview=0

Below is an excerpt of the intended requirement background which is included in the Sources

Sought notice:

Requirement Background: The SBA is investing in regional clusters throughout the United

States. Clusters are geographic concentrations of interconnected companies and institutions in a particular field. These clusters span a variety of industries that include energy, manufacturing, agriculture, and advanced defense technologies. The goal of the Agency's involvement in clusters is to increase small business participation and economic activity.

A cluster initiative serves as an organizing entity. The cluster activities increase opportunities for small businesses to participate, promote innovation within the chosen industry, and generally enhance regional economic growth.

Cluster initiatives build off of organic industry clusters by purposely integrating small, medium, and large companies, non-profit organizations, and universities for business funding and research opportunities that create jobs, attract capital, and have long-term, positive economic impact.

Each cluster provides the small business community with matchmaking opportunities, business training, counseling, and mentoring - all to assist small business growth and increased economic activity.

http://www.fbo.gov/ https://www.fbo.gov/index?s=opportunity&mode=form&id=02d9b540fa80138d5d02a1e778166c9a&tab=core&_cview=0 https://www.fbo.gov/index?s=opportunity&mode=form&id=02d9b540fa80138d5d02a1e778166c9a&tab=core&_cview=0

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Successful cluster initiative proposals will include partnerships with and between business and industry groups, academic institutions, economic development organizations, entrepreneurial education programs, and training initiatives - and will reflect an industry-specific or region-specific focus and collaboration.

This Acquisition Need: The SBA intends to award up to three new contracts to contractors to head cluster initiatives. Of the three intended awards, the SBA intends to make one contract award to an entity that will provide cluster initiative services to a community affected by changes in the coal economy. Each contract will be for a base year and four option years. The base year is expected to be for a firm-fixed, not-to-exceed (level-of-effort) price. Travel costs and event costs will be included in the negotiated firm-fixed, not-to-exceed price. The contractor will also provide fully loaded labor rates for a Program Director, Program Manager, Project Manager, and

Technical Business Advisor for each year. The rates for the base year will be used to determine that the offered firm-fixed, level-of-effort price is fair and reasonable. The option year rates will be used to negotiate the option year firm-fixed, not-to-exceed price once a budget is established.

It is expected that in response to the Combined Synopsis/Solicitation, Contractor's proposal shall include the details of its proposed cluster activities - the region to be focused on and the industry to be enhanced. Proposals will be ranked more highly that focus on a regional cluster not being currently supported through active SBA contracts. Possible cluster services and/or activities may include but are not limited to:

Business training;

Business counseling/consulting;

Mentoring;

Technology transfer counseling/consulting;

Commercialization of existing research and development (R&D) counseling/consulting;

Engagement with Department of Defense, Department of Energy or other federal agency’s Small Business Innovative Research & Development

Programs;

Support in obtaining Facility Clearance status and holding of security clearances;

Export readiness counseling/consulting;

Support for underserved communities; and/or

Other defined services relevant to small businesses.

Building customer bases with federal agency’s Contracting, Procurement, and Program Offices;

Building networks and partnerships;

Providing opportunities for showcasing and demonstration;

Assisting in market development in the region and beyond

Assisting in ascertaining federal agency technology development requirements and priorities, matching; and/or operationalizing cluster technology and capabilities to best meet these needs

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Facilitating opportunities for accessing new resources and markets.

Incorporation or linkage to an accelerator program;

Brokering of public private partnerships to enhance the entrepreneurial ecosystem within the cluster;

Alignment with rapid prototyping centers (e.g. Maker Spaces);

A focus on advanced industries which include, but are not limited to, manufacturing electronics, robotics, defense systems, power/energy innovations, cyber security;

Involvement with the National Export Initiative; and

Involvement with the National Network for Manufacturing Innovation.

It is expected that a Combined Synopsis/Solicitation for this contractual need will be issued on or about June 1, 2015.

Appendix C. SBA Regional Innovation Clusters