Women's Business Center Application Readiness and Procurement Assistance Grant.pdf

U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA)

Office of Women’s Business Ownership (OWBO)

WOMEN’S BUSINESS CENTER (WBC) APPLICATION READINESS

AND PROCUREMENT ASSISTANCE GRANT

Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA) No. SB-OEDWB-24-003

Base Budget Period: September 30, 2024 – September 29, 2025

Opening Date: June 6, 2024 - Closing Date: August 7, 2024

The purpose of this Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA) is to provide grant funding for organizations to establish Women’s Business Centers (WBCs) to assist women entrepreneurs with application readiness for certification in the Women-Owned Small Business (WOSB) and Economically Disadvantaged Women-Owned Small Business (EDWOSB) Programs, procurement assistance, and entrepreneurial development. Eligible Applicants must be private, non-profit organizations with 501(c) tax exempt status from the U.S. Treasury’s Internal Revenue Service.

This FOA provides opportunities for three distinct WBC projects. WBC Project 1 will focus on training, coaching, and technical assistance related to eligibility and certification for the WOSB and EDWOSB Programs. WBC Project 2 will focus on providing targeted training for women entrepreneurs to ensure Federal contract procurement readiness. WBC Project 3 is an opportunity for Applicants to design individual projects related to the growth and entrepreneurial development of women in the Federal government marketplace. Applicants may submit proposals for one or more WBC projects.

Successful Applicants must provide matching funds equal to one-half of the Federal funding received for the first two years of the initial award (a statutory match ratio of 2:1 Federal to non-Federal funding). For example, grantees must provide $75,000 in matching funds if awarded a grant of $150,000. For the remaining years of the grant, Grantees must provide matching funds of one dollar for every dollar of its annual Federal award amount (a statutory match ratio of 1:1 Federal to non-Federal funding). (See Section

2.6 for more information.)

Proposals responding to this FOA must be posted to www.Grants.gov by no later than 11:59:59 p.m. Eastern Daylight Time (EDT), on August 7, 2024. No other methods of submission are permitted. Proposals submitted after the stipulated deadline will be rejected without evaluation.

SBA will host a pre-application information session on Monday, June 24, 2024, at 3:00 p.m. EDT. All interested Applicants are encouraged to attend. The link to information session is below:

htps://www.zoomgov.com/j/1617633464?pwd=dnkrZmYwcmt5cU5uU3RXcitpL0tSZz09 passcode: 769136 https://www.zoomgov.com/j/1617633464?pwd=dnkrZmYwcmt5cU5uU3RXcitpL0tSZz09

Table of Contents

Section I - Funding Opportunity Description

1.1 Program Overview

1.2 Objective and Projects

1.3 Introduction

1.4 Background

1.5 Purpose

1.6 Leveraging of Resources

1.7 SBA Involvement and Oversight

1.8 Changes or Cancellation

1.9 SBA Priorities

Section II – Award Information

2.1 Estimated Funding

2.2 Expected Number of Awards

2.3 Period of Performance/Budget Periods

2.4 Funding Information

2.5 Funding Instrument

2.6 Non-Federal Matching Requirement

2.7 Non-Federal Matching Certification

Section III – Eligibility Information

3.1 General

3.2 Eligible Applicants

3.3 Ineligible Applicants

Section IV - Application and Submission Information

4.1 General Application Instructions

4.2 Submission Instructions

4.3 Final Submission

Section V - Application Review Information

5.1 General

5.2 Review and Selection Process

5.3 Evaluation Criteria

5.4 Applicant Risk Assessment

Section VI - Award Administration Information

6.1 Award Notification

6.2 Administrative and National Policy Requirements

6.3 Reporting

6.4 Recordkeeping Requirements

Section VII - Agency Contacts

7.1 Office of Women’s Business Ownership Point of Contact

7.2 Financial/Grants Management Point of Contact

7.3 Grants.gov Technical Support

Section VIII - Other Information

8.1 Definitions

8.2 Advance Understandings

8.3 Shared Information

8.4 Hub & Spoke Model Information

Section I – Funding Opportunity Description

1.1 Program Overview

1.1.1 Federal Agency Name: U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA)

1.1.2 Funding Opportunity Title: Women’s Business Center (WBC) Application Readiness and Procurement Assistance Grant

1.1.3 Announcement Type: Initial

1.1.4 Funding Opportunity Number: SB-OEDWB-24-003

1.1.5 CDFA Number: 59.043

1.1.6 Closing Date for Submissions: August 7, 2024, 11:59PM (EDT)

1.1.7 Authority: Small Business Act §§2(h), 29 (15 U.S.C.

§§631(h)), and 656(m), as amended; 13 CFR Part 131

1.1.8 Duration of Authority: Permanent

1.1.9 Funding Instrument: Cooperative Agreement

1.1.10 Funding Year: Funding is from Fiscal Year (FY) 2024

1.1.11 Award Amount/Funding Range: SBA expects to make multiple awards with a maximum amount of up to $150,000 for each successful proposal. Organizations may receive multiple awards of $150,000 should they have multiple successful proposals or if they utilize the “Hub” and “Spoke” Model. Only qualified recipients will be funded. There is a matching fund requirement. Award amounts may be prorated based on the number of months remaining in the project period.

1.1.12 Project Duration: The length of the project is a total of 60 months.

Awards will be made for a base project period of 12 months, plus four continuation periods of 12 months each, if applicable. The continuation of the award will be solely in the discretion of SBA and is subject to continuing program authority, the availability of funds, and satisfactory performance by the Grantee. Grantees are required to match awarded funds on a 1:2 ratio for the base project period and first option year of the grant and on a 1:1 ratio for the subsequent three (3) years.

1.1.13 Project Starting Date: September 30, 2024

1.1.14 Proposal Evaluation: Proposals will be reviewed for sufficiency as detailed in Section V. SBA may ask Applicants for clarification of the technical and cost aspects of their proposals. This is not to be construed as a commitment to fund the proposed project.

1.1.15 Agency Point of Contact: Office of Women’s Business Ownership

(OWBO)

Email: owbo@sba.gov

1.2 Objective and Projects

The objective of this FOA is to benefit women entrepreneurs through three distinct projects.

WBC Project 1 – Certification Training and Application Preparation Assistance

WBC Project 1 will provide expert level training, coaching, and technical assistance to women entrepreneurs related to eligibility and certification for the WOSB and EDWOSB programs. Specifically, WBC Project 1 is focused on:

• Providing assistance to women entrepreneurs to determine eligibility for the WOSB or EDWOSB program;

• Assisting women entrepreneurs in gathering and preparing all documents necessary to apply for the WOSB or EDWOSB program;

• Reviewing all documents necessary for women entrepreneurs to apply for the WOSB or EDWOSB program to ensure completeness and quality of these documents; and

• Assisting women entrepreneurs with creating profiles in SAM.gov.

WBC Project 2 – Government Contracting Training

WBC Project 2 will provide expert level training, coaching, and technical assistance to help women business owners be prepared to win Federal government contracts. Specifically, WBC Project 2 is focused on:

• Providing targeted training for women entrepreneurs to ensure procurement readiness;

• Providing counseling to understand the different roles of Office of Small and Disadvantaged

Business Utilization and Office of Small Business Program leaders, program managers, and contracting officers;

• Training on Federal Acquisition Regulation contract types;

• Providing technical assistance with capability documents and training on presenting capabilities to

Federal agencies;

• Training and counseling women entrepreneurs in locating agency forecasts and Federal contract opportunities; and

• Providing training and counseling to women entrepreneurs in how to access the capital necessary to perform Federal contracts.

WBC Project 3 – Distinct Project(s) Designed by the Applicant

WBC Project 3 allows Applicants to use innovation and creativity to propose additional WBC projects that benefit WOSBs and EDWOSBs seeking to grow in the Federal government marketplace. WBC Project 3 proposals must clearly outline the focus of the WBC and should address the needs and gaps for WOSBs and EDWOSBs not addressed by WBC Project 1 or WBC Project 2.

Examples for WBC Projects include: a focus on providing training, coaching and technical assistance to women entrepreneurs in a specific underserved community where WOSBs are underrepresented; or a focus on providing industry specific training to increase women entrepreneurs in North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) codes that are prevalent for Federal government contracting where women entrepreneurs are underrepresented. Applicants must ensure that WBC Project 3 proposals contain all WBC requirements outlined in 13 CFR §§131.310 and 330.

Applicants may submit one proposal for each of WBC Projects 1 and 2. Applicants may submit proposals for multiple WBC Project 3 projects, provided that each proposal is distinct and serves distinct populations that would not otherwise be served, in accordance with 13 CFR §131.410.

1.3 Introduction

The WBC Program was established by the Women’s Business Ownership Act of 1988 (Public Law No.

100-533) as the Women’s Business Demonstration Pilot, providing grants to private non-profit organizations to aid and encourage the development and growth of small women-owned businesses through long-term training and counseling. The program was expanded and made permanent in 2007, when the WBC Sustainability Grant Program, established in 1999, was replaced with the WBC Renewal Grant Program.

WBCs are a part a national network of entrepreneurship centers throughout the United States and its territories, which are designed to assist women in starting and growing small businesses. WBCs seek to “level the playing field” for women entrepreneurs, who still face unique obstacles in the business world.

1.4 Background

Since its inception in 1953, the SBA has served to aid, counsel, assist, and protect the interests of small businesses. While the SBA is best known for its financial support of small businesses through its many lending programs, the agency also plays a critical role in providing funding to organizations that deliver technical assistance in the form of counseling and training to small business concerns and nascent entrepreneurs to promote growth, expansion, innovation, increased productivity, and management improvement.

The mission of the WBC Program is to act as the catalyst for providing in-depth, substantive, outcome-oriented business services to women entrepreneurs, both nascent and established businesses, a representative number of which are socially and economically disadvantaged. This mission is accomplished through the award of financial assistance to private, 501(c) certified non-profit organizations to enable them to affect substantial economic impact in their communities, as measured by successful business start-ups, job creation and retention, and increased company revenues.

Specifically, by statute WBCs must:

• Provide prospective entrepreneurs and existing small businesses with training, counseling, and specialized services. The services provided must relate to the formation, financing, management, and operation of small business enterprises.

• Provide training and counseling services that enhance a small business concern’s ability to access capital, such as business plan development, financial statement preparation/analysis, and cash flow preparation/analysis.

The WOSB program helps women-owned small businesses compete for Federal contracts. Joining the WOSB program makes a business eligible to compete for Federal contracts reserved for the program’s certified participants. WBCs are uniquely positioned to assist women entrepreneurs with obtaining WOSB or EDWOSB certification and providing technical assistance to women entrepreneurs, thus enhancing women entrepreneurs’ ability to succeed in the Federal marketplace, create jobs, and increase company revenues.

1.5 Purpose

The purpose of this FOA is to provide funding for non-profit organizations that will provide entrepreneurial development services to women, with an emphasis on socially and economically disadvantaged entrepreneurs.

All awards will be made as an Initial Phase Project, regardless of whether an Applicant currently has or formerly had a WBC award. An organization that is currently operating as an SBA funded WBC must utilize grant funds under this opportunity to provide services that are distinct from or in addition to services provided pursuant to its current WBC grant.

SBA will consider the geographical area that the Applicant proposes to serve in making award decisions.

Applicants may propose projects that are virtual in nature and contain virtual services in order to reach women entrepreneurs in as many geographic, socio-economic, and demographic communities as possible.

Eligible Applicants may apply as a sole organization or as a joint or cooperative venture utilizing the “Hub” and “Spoke” Model.

1.6 Leveraging of Resources

The Applicants selected for an award under this FOA are required to maximize efforts to leverage SBA funding by collaborating, as needed, with SBA’s District Offices and other Federal, state, local, and tribal government small business development programs and activities; SBA resource partners (such as Small Business Development Centers, SCORE, Women Business Centers, APEX Accelerators, and Veterans Business Outreach Centers); Empower to Grow technical assistance providers; Small Business Mentor- Protégé Program; 8(a) Business Development Program; Women-Owned Small Business Program; Veteran Small Business Certification Program; HUBZone Program; Small Business Investment Companies; SBA lenders; and organizations such as chambers of commerce and trade and industry groups and associations.

1.7 SBA Involvement and Oversight

The WBC Program is managed by the Assistant Administrator (AA) of the Office of Women’s Business Ownership (OWBO).

A designated Program Manager (PM) located within OWBO at SBA Headquarters will be responsible for monitoring and oversight of the non-Federal entity’s WBC project, including compliance with the terms and conditions of the Notice of Award (NOA). OWBO will conduct periodic assessments of the project to verify progress. The level of monitoring will be dependent on the awarded Applicant’s proposed measures, milestones (e.g., outputs and outcomes), and goals. A designated Grants Management Officer (GMO) within OWBO will be responsible for issuing the NOA, making modifications to the award, and processing payments. An SBA employee assigned to a District Office located within the non-Federal entity’s service area will be tasked with serving as the District Office Technical Representative (DOTR) and will act as the local representative for SBA. An SBA employee within the Office of Government Contracting and

Business Development (GCBD) will serve as the program and technical representative. SBA will conduct performance assessments every 12 months from the start date of the project.

In its capacity overseeing and funding the grants, SBA has the authority to approve, monitor, and change methodologies for implementing technical assistance. SBA will collaborate with grantees on how to execute the service delivery of WOSB and EDWOSB application assistance, and training and technical assistance to women entrepreneurs in order to avoid duplication of existing services, as well as to leverage fully the other existent resources and educational tools available through the WOSB program, through SBA’s Office of Entrepreneurial Development, and through SBA’s resource partner networks.

1.8 Changes or Cancellation

SBA reserves the right to amend or cancel this FOA, in whole or in part, at the agency’s discretion. Should the SBA make material changes to this FOA, the agency will adjust the closing date as necessary to afford Applicants sufficient opportunity to address such changes.

1.9 SBA Priorities

The Federal Government is the largest procurer of goods and services in the world, spending more than half a trillion dollars each year. Although these dollars present an opportunity for small businesses, SBA seeks to reverse a downward trajectory of fewer small businesses receiving prime contracts. In addition to the small business set-aside goal, the Federal Government has statutory goals of awarding no less than five percent of contract dollars to both small, disadvantaged businesses and women-owned small businesses.

SBA seeks to increase the number of underserved small businesses that have contracting certifications, enabling them to compete in the Federal contracting market.

OWBO leads Federal government efforts to promote entrepreneurship among women, especially those in underserved and economically disadvantaged communities. GCBD provides oversight and leadership for the federal government’s small business contracting program.

SBA is committed to ensuring that women entrepreneurs from underserved communities have access to the resources needed to start, grow, manage, and sustain resilient businesses. In response to the challenges that these entrepreneurs face, SBA is prioritizing projects targeting women entrepreneurs from underserved communities.

Section II – Award Information

2.1 Estimated Funding

SBA expects to make multiple awards of $150,000 each. A single organization may have more than one application funded by SBA through this FOA. SBA expects to make awards to both individual organizations and “Hub” and “Spoke” Models.

2.2 Expected Number of Awards

SBA expects to make multiple initial awards, and in its discretion, may select qualified Applicants not initially funded under this FOA for future awards, using subsequent fiscal year resources, subject to continuing program authority and the availability of funds.

2.3 Period of Performance/Budget Periods

Awards will be made for up to a five (5)-year period of performance, consisting of a base period of twelve

(12) months from the date of award and four (4) option periods of twelve (12) months each. The exercise of option periods will be solely at the SBA’s discretion and is subject to continuing program authority, the availability of funds, and a non-Federal entity’s continued satisfactory performance and compliance with all the terms and conditions of the award. Each base and option period will constitute a separate and distinct twelve (12)-month Budget and Performance Period.

2.4 Funding Information

Funds provided under the WBC Program must be used solely for the purposes stipulated in this FOA and the NOA. Funds provided under the WBC Program may not be commingled with funds from other sources.

Non-Federal entities are required to maintain separate accounting over Federal funds to ensure funds are used for authorized purposes only. All costs proposed in an Applicant’s budget must meet the tests of allowability, allocability, and reasonableness set forth in 2 CFR §200, Subpart E.

The SBA will not reimburse Applicants for their proposal preparation costs. In accordance with 2 CFR §200.458, Applicants may request pre-award costs, which require prior approval from SBA. If approved, these pre-award costs must be represented as a separate line item in the project budget. Authorization of pre-award costs does not change the performance period of the award.

No Federal funds provided through an award under this FOA, or matching contributions dedicated to such an award may be used for the purpose of making a sub-grant. While subcontracting is permitted, successful Applicants may not spend more than forty-nine percent (49%) of award funds on subcontracts.

Under no circumstances may successful Applicants contract out the administration or day-to-day management of this project to any other party. Projects designed as joint cooperative ventures, or which employ the “Hub” and “Spoke” Model are not prohibited under the subcontracting restrictions.

Any non-Federal entity that does not have a current negotiated (including provisional) indirect cost rate may charge a de minimis rate of 15% of modified total direct costs (MTDC) which may be used in accordance with 2 CFR §200.414(f). Applicants should be familiar with 2 CFR §200.68 in determining requests related to indirect costs.

2.5 Funding Instrument

The funding instrument used will be a Cooperative Agreement.

2.6 Non-Federal Matching Requirement

The Applicant is required to provide non-Federal matching funds. Non-Federal match may consist of cash, program income, and/or in-kind and must be used for approved budgeted items only.

2.6.1 Annual Match Requirement

The Applicant is required to match awarded funds on a 1:2 ratio ($1 of non-Federal funds for every $2 of Federal funds) for the base period and first option year and 1:1 in the three subsequent years. At least half of matching contributions must be in the form of cash.

2.6.2 Non-Federal Match Sources

• Cash o Matching contributions must come from non-Federal sources such as state and local public funds; and private individuals, corporations, and foundations.

o When permissible under the terms of the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG)

Program, CDBG funds may also be used as match. The matching contribution must be pledged for WBC activities.

• Program Income o Program income is considered a form of cash for the purpose of matching contributions.

Funds an Applicant receives as payment for services provided under an agreement with an outside, non-Federal entity may be used as match regardless of whether the non-Federal entity received those funds from a Federal source.

• In-Kind o No more than one-half of the non-Federal match may be in the form of in-kind contributions, including but not limited to office equipment and office space.

Any recipient that has an approved negotiated indirect cost rate agreement described in 2 CFR §200.306(f) may count unrecovered indirect costs toward any required cost sharing or matching under the award.

2.6.3 Failure to Obtain Match

SBA may withhold payment at any time if the required level of non-Federal match has not been obtained.

Likewise, the Grantee shall not be eligible thereafter for advance disbursements or payments during the remainder of the project, or for any other project for which it is or may be funded by SBA and may not be eligible for other SBA funding opportunities.

Payment will be withheld unless or until the Grantee has adequately certified that the required amount of non-Federal match equal to or greater than the Federal funds expended (of which at least half is in the form of cash) has been fully obtained and expended for project activities during each reporting period.

2.7 Non-Federal Matching Certification

The Grantee must certify that the non-Federal matching share has been obtained and expended on the WBC project and must maintain records of all cash, in-kind donations, and program income and how it was spent.

The OWBO Program Manager and the OED financial examiner will review programmatic and financial records when conducting desk reviews, on-site visits, program reviews and/or financial exams.

Section III – Eligibility Information

3.1 General

Only one proposal per Applicant for WBC Project 1 and WBC Project 2 will be evaluated. Should an Applicant submit more than one proposal for each of these projects, the proposal submitted closest to, without exceeding, the application deadline will be evaluated. Any additional proposals for WBC Project 1 or WBC Project 2 from the same Applicant will automatically be rejected without being evaluated.

SBA will evaluate all distinct proposals from Applicants for WBC Project 3 received by Grants.gov before the closing date and time of this FOA. Should an Applicant submit more than one proposal for a distinct WBC Project 3 project, the proposal submitted closest to, without exceeding, the application deadline will be evaluated. Any additional proposals for a distinct WBC Project 3 from the same Applicant will automatically be rejected without being evaluated.

3.2 Eligible Applicants

In order to be eligible for this FOA, Applicants must be a private, non-profit organization certified under § 501(c) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 and have experience providing technical services to women, with a special emphasis on socially and economically disadvantaged entrepreneurs.

Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), Hispanic Serving Institutions (HSIs), Tribal Colleges and Universities (TCUs), Native Hawaiian Serving Institutions (NHSIs), Alaska Native Serving Institutions (ANSIs) of higher learning with existing minority entrepreneurship or related programs, and 501c entrepreneurial development organizations that serve designated Historically Underutilized Business Zones (HUBZones) are encouraged to apply. To the extent that they satisfy all eligibility criteria the same as all other Applicant organizations, religious organizations are entitled to compete for Federal financial assistance (grants and/or cooperative agreements) used to support government programs. Generally, such organizations are not required to alter their religious character to participate in a government program, nor to cease engaging in explicitly religious activities outside the program, nor effectively to relinquish their Federal statutory protections for religious hiring decisions.

An organization that is operating or has operated as an SBA funded WBC within the past five (5) years, if selected, will be awarded as an Initial Phase Project. Likewise, an organization that previously operated an SBA-funded WBC (but that is no longer operating), if eligible to apply and selected, will also be awarded as an Initial Phase Project since this application will be treated as an effort to re-establish the WBC. An organization that is currently operating as an SBA funded WBC must demonstrate how services rendered under this grant are distinct from or in addition to services provided pursuant to its current WBC grant.

To demonstrate additional eligibility requirements, Applicants must indicate in the narrative proposal that they:

• Will provide technical assistance to small business concerns owned and controlled by women.

• Will provide services to women and other entrepreneurs who are both socially and economically disadvantaged.

• Continue to be organized and incorporated in the United States and remain in good standing in the state or territory of incorporation. A copy of the Certificate of Good Standing or applicable document must be attached to the Applicant’s technical proposal.

• Are a private, not-for-profit or non-profit corporation with an active 501(c) Federal tax-exempt status certification from the United States Department of Treasury/Internal Revenue Service. A copy of the 501(c) designation letter must be attached to the Applicant’s technical proposal.

• Have an established organizational infrastructure with an internal financial management system that currently meets the requirements of 2 CFR §200.302.

• Are responsible for hiring, supervising, and employing sufficient staff to ensure that the WBC is open to the public a minimum of forty (40) hours per week, including evening and weekend hours, and to fully provide the services required under this FOA, the Notice of Award (NOA), and the Applicant’s proposal. Staff must include a full-time (forty (40) hours per week) program director, whose time is dedicated one hundred percent (100%) to managing the day-to-day operations of the WBC as well as overseeing its staff, volunteers, and all financial aspects.

3.3 Ineligible Applicants

The following Applicants will automatically be considered ineligible, and their applications will be rejected without being evaluated:

• Applicants with a Federal delinquent debt subject to offset;

• Applicants that are currently suspended, debarred, or otherwise prohibited from receiving awards of contracts or grants from the Federal government;

• Applicants with an outstanding and unresolved material deficiency reported under the requirements of the Single Audit Act within the past three years;

• Applicants that had a WBC grant or cooperative agreement involuntarily terminated or not renewed within the past year;

• Applicants that filed for bankruptcy within the past five (5) years;

• Applicants that propose to serve as a pass-through and permit another organization to manage the day-to-day operations of the project;

• Applicants that do not propose to hire and employ a full-time (forty (40) hours per week) program director whose time is dedicated one hundred percent (100%) to managing the day-to-day operations of the WBC and staff; and

• Applicants that had an officer or agent acting on its behalf convicted of a felony criminal violation under any Federal law within the preceding twenty-four (24) months.

SBA is not authorized to provide awards to individuals under this FOA and applications from individuals will not be considered under this request. Award funds cannot be used to make investments in individual businesses.

Section IV - Application and Submission Information

4.1 General Application Instructions

Applications must outline how the project(s) will increase the capacity of women entrepreneurs to create new enterprises, compete in the Federal contracting market, access capital, increase business survivability, and create jobs.

Organizations may submit proposals for multiple, distinct projects. For example, an organization may choose to submit one application for WBC Project 1, one application for WBC Project 2, and two applications for two distinct WBC Project 3 projects. Separate, distinct proposals are required for each WBC Project.

Each proposal must consist of the following elements: (i) cover letter; (ii) technical proposal; (iii) budget information; (iv) certifications, forms and assurances; and (v) attachments and exhibits. Applicants must document as part of the narrative proposal the eligibility requirements outlined in Section 3.2.

4.1.1 Cover Letter

The Applicant must submit a cover letter as the first page of the application. The cover letter is limited to one (1) double-spaced, 8.5x11 inch page, with twelve (12) point text, and one (1) inch margins. The cover letter must include:

• A statement that the application is in response to Funding Opportunity No. SB-OEDWB-24-003.

• The Applicant’s name and address.

• The Applicant’s website address, if applicable.

• The name, telephone number, and email address for the Applicant’s designated point of contact.

• A discussion of the Applicant’s eligibility, as defined within this FOA.

• A statement of whether the Applicant is applying as a solitary organization or as an organization that will utilize the “Hub” and “Spoke” Model. If the Applicant proposes to use the “Hub” and “Spoke” Model, the Applicant must also indicate the number of “Spoke” organizations and the address for each “Spoke.”

• Which WBC project the proposal addresses (i.e., WBC Project 1, WBC Project 2, or WBC Project 3).

• The geographical area to be served by the project. Geographical area may be described in terms of SBA Region(s), state(s), or city(ies).

• The dollar amount being requested for the proposed grant award.

4.1.2 Technical Proposal

The Technical Proposal must demonstrate the Applicant’s capability to implement the grant project in accordance with the provisions of this announcement. It must be succinct, self-explanatory, and well organized so that reviewers can understand the proposed project.

The Technical Proposal pages must be numbered, and the narrative portion of the application shall be limited to twenty (20) double spaced, 8.5 x 11-inch pages with Source Sans, Calibri, or Times New Roman twelve (12)-point text font and one (1)-inch margins. Attachments are not counted toward the twenty (20) page maximum. Attachments must be labeled and shall be limited to fifty (50) pages, excluding the Applicant’s most recent audit.

SBA will not consider any materials beyond the specified page limit and the required attachments in the application review process.

The agency will evaluate the Applicant’s proposal using the evaluation criteria identified in this section. If the Applicant’s proposal utilizes the “Hub” and “Spoke” Model, the Applicant must include information for each section for the “Hub” and each “Spoke,” as applicable.

For a Technical Proposal that has the greatest likelihood of readability for reviewers, allowing for maximum points, use the section headers identified below for each section of the Technical Proposal.

Project Design & Description (30 Points)

This section of the proposal describes how the Applicant proposes to provide services in the areas of WOSB and EDWOSB application assistance, counseling, training, or procurement readiness, for the designated WBC project, described in Section 1.2.

The Applicant may propose multi-year activities, as well as activities that build upon each other, but each phase of the project must be attainable within a single budget year.

Measurable Activities (13 points) o The Applicant should provide a summary of the proposed project, including but not limited to the scope of the project and proposed outcomes.

o The Applicant must identify and describe, in detail, the proposed WBC’s approach and measurable activities that will assist the Applicant in accomplishing the Project Objective within the proposed service area(s). Each measurable activity must include a detailed description and approach, anticipated timeline, and needed resources.

o The Applicant must describe, in detail, the proposed methodology for evaluating and assessing the effectiveness and impact of the proposed activities.

o The Applicant should include the steps needed to successfully launch the project, such as hiring key staff; securing locations to house the center; finalizing partnership agreements;

and ensuring readiness for transmitting data to SBA.

o The Applicant must clearly identify the geographic area of the WBC and describe the service area’s entrepreneurial ecosystem, including industries, sectors, and support systems that support the formation, growth, and financing of women owned businesses.

• Project Management (8 points) o The Applicant must provide staffing and management plans for accomplishing the goals and objectives of proposed projects.

o The Applicant must demonstrate that adequate personnel resources, with sufficient experience, will be devoted to execute project activities. The Applicant should stipulate the amount of time each key employee will devote to the project.

o The Applicant must establish clear and direct lines of responsibility and authority for managing and overseeing the project.

o The Applicant must provide copies of all contracts and consulting agreements and identify the employees or officials who will be responsible for overseeing and administering those agreements.

o The Applicant must describe its financial management structure and internal controls and identify all staff members who will be responsible for financial recordkeeping, reporting, expenditure of award funds and addressing audit findings.

• Method of Service Delivery (2 points) o The Applicant must describe the method that services will be delivered including, but not limited to, in-person, virtual, one-on-one, one-to-many, etc. The Applicant should list all facilities and other physical resources that will be utilized to implement the proposed project and, if applicable, the hours of operation including any night and weekend availability.

• Understanding of Client Challenges (3 points) o The Applicant should clearly articulate an understanding of the current, unique challenges facing women entrepreneurs specific to the WBC project relevant to the proposal.

• Marketing Plan (2 points) o The Applicant should provide a Marketing Plan which describes the Applicant’s ability and positioning to extend project services to firms eligible to receive assistance. The Marketing Plan should include outreach strategies that are incorporated in the Applicant’s Budget Narrative.

• Conflict of Interest Policy (2 points) o The Applicant must provide a copy of its Conflict of Interest Policy addressing, at a minimum, procedures for ensuring its employees, consultants, and contractors do not assist client firms in which they, their principals, or their immediate family members have a financial interest or fiduciary duty and for ensuring its employees, consultants, and contractors do not use their role in the project as a means of marketing their outside services to project clients.

Logic Model (25 points)

This section of the proposal will detail the Applicant’s logic model for the project. A logic model is a graphic depiction that presents the shared relationships among the resources/inputs, activities, outputs, outcomes, and impact of the project. The Applicant should not only align the logic model with the plans described in the Project Design & Description, Data Collection & Program Evaluation, and Budget Narrative sections of the proposal but also specifically reference page numbers, section numbers, or other identifiers for the relevant information in these sections.

• Resources/Inputs (2 points) o The Applicant must identify the specific resources/inputs that will be used to implement project activities. The resources/inputs should be sufficient to execute activities and should be contained, as appropriate, in the Budget Narrative section of the proposal.

• Activities (1 point) o The Applicant should state the project activities. The activities must be described, in detail, in the Project Design & Description section and referenced in the logic model. Grantees should report activities to SBA on a quarterly basis.

• Outputs (7 points) o The Applicant must enumerate the tangible products, capacities, deliverables, and/or interactions that result from the activities described in the Project Design & Description section. Outputs should be measurable and realistic and align with the Project Objective.

The plan to collect the data needed for the outputs should be described, in detail, in the Data Collection & Program Evaluation section. Grantees should report outputs to SBA on a quarterly basis.

• Outcomes (10 points) o The Applicant must identify specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and timebound outcomes for the project. The submission should include benchmarks to communicate both base-level goals and stretch goals as well as the level of effort required to realistically achieve each level. Outcomes should align with the Project Objective and the Project Design & Description section of the proposal. The plan to collect the data needed for the outcomes should be described, in detail, in the Data Collection & Program Evaluation section. Grantees must report outcomes to SBA on an annual basis.

• Impact (5 points) o The Applicant must describe what long-term effect the Applicant anticipates accomplishing through the project. Impact consists of the results that are directly due to the outcomes of the project. The results should be determined by evaluations that are accomplished through the plan contained in the Data Collection & Program Evaluation section. The Applicant should also include potential barriers to long-term outcomes in this section.

Data Collection & Program Evaluation (25 points)

This section of the proposal describes the Applicant’s plan to collect the data needed to assess and evaluate its performance and impact of services. Grantees are required to participate in data collection, analysis, and reporting related to SBA’s performance measures, and other similar requirements. Grantees must respond to specific data collection and analysis requests as they arise to support GCBD and OWBO priorities and initiatives. Applicants must include plans to report on the following:

• Clients served, including total client and unique clients served for specific WBC project measures (e.g., number of clients assisted with WOSB applications, with Unique Entity Identifiers; number of clients receiving government contract training; number of clients receiving procurement coaching, etc.).

• Capital infusion transactions prior to and after service activities.

• New business starts.

• Jobs supported prior to and after service activities.

• Number of effective practices/strategies.

• Number of bids and proposals submitted prior to training activities and after training activities.

• Federal contracts awarded, including distinguishing WOSB or EDWOSB set-aside or sole source awards, prior to training activities and after training activities.

• Contract revenue prior to training activities and after training activities.

• Client satisfaction.

This section should reflect, and be consistent with, all other sections of the proposal and must cover all years of the project period, including the initial base and four option periods. Within this section, the Applicant must describe a data collection plan, aimed at describing the methods, techniques, and tools used to evaluate the project and whether it achieved its anticipated outcomes.

• Specific Data Collection (10 points) o The Applicant must identify the specific data on clients and other data that it plans to use, and methods for collecting and analyzing the listed data elements. Grantees should report data and data analyses to SBA on a quarterly basis.

• Lessons Learned (5 points) o The Applicant should describe its plans for how it will document and report lessons learned, both positive and negative. Grantees should report lessons learned to SBA on a quarterly basis.

• Use of Data to Inform Program Delivery (5 points) o The Applicant must describe plans for how data will be used to inform program delivery.

• Identification and Replication of Effective Service Models (5 points) o The Application should describe plans to identify the most effective service models, how they were implemented, and how they could potentially be replicated. Grantees must report this information to SBA on an annual basis.

Organizational Experience & Capacity (20 points)

This section of the proposal will focus on Applicants’ ability to provide assistance to entrepreneurs seeking certification for Federal contracting programs and their experience with providing training and counseling to entrepreneurs related to procurement readiness, growth and capacity, locating and negotiating contracts, securing business funding, and specific industries in NAICS codes where women entrepreneurs are underrepresented. The Applicant must provide adequate evidence and documentation, including specific examples, for each of the listed criteria.

• Organizational Profile and Background (8 points) o The Applicant must provide a narrative description of its organization, including its current services, mission, structure, programs, and experience to fulfill the needs and requirements of the proposed project. The Applicant should emphasize its experience and strategies for assisting entrepreneurs with applying for Federal contracting programs, obtaining Federal contracts, and building capacity to perform Federal contracts.

o The Applicant should provide a list of previous or current projects or services relevant to the proposal, including the number of years the Applicant has conducted such projects and the number of clients the Applicant has assisted over the prior 3 years.

• Proof of Capability (4 points) o The Applicant should provide proof of capability to implement and manage a project of the scope and breadth proposed.

o The Applicant must demonstrate financial viability.

o The Applicant must provide responses or corrective actions for any qualified audit opinions, or A-133 audit findings.

• Identification and Engagement of Key Stakeholders and Partners (2 points) o The Applicant should identify key stakeholders and partners that will be leveraged to accomplish the objectives. If the Applicant proposes to leverage third-party partnerships and their respective resources to accomplish the proposed project under this FOA, the Applicant must provide proof of commitment by the third party as an attachment to the proposal.

o The Applicant should address the approach to leverage collaboration and connect entrepreneurs to the full array of SBA resources in order to expand the breadth of the training, counseling and outreach. The Applicant must define the role of each potential collaborative partner entity, clearly outline the approach to leveraging collaboration, and convincingly communicate and demonstrate that resources from different partners will be leveraged in a way that will result in extended growth for women entrepreneurs.

• Biographies and Resumes (6 points) o The Applicant must provide a one-page biography or 2-page resume for each of the

Applicant’s key leader(s) who will be responsible for the oversight and success of the proposed project. Resumes should only include relevant experience of the leader(s) and should specifically include experience related to preparing WOSB and EDWOSB program applications, coaching and training for government contracting, and providing technical assistance for procurement readiness. The biographies or resumes should be provided as an attachment and will not count toward the 20-page limit. Application reviewers will not consider information beyond the first page of a biography or the second page of a resume, should the biography or resume exceed the stated page limit.

Budget Narrative (10 points)

This section of the proposal will use the Standard Forms and Detailed Expenditure Worksheet to evaluate the cost-effectiveness and appropriateness of the funding requested. Applicants should ensure each budget item is described fully so that there is no ambiguity or questions regarding its relevance or reasonableness to the project and its objectives. The Applicant’s proposed budget narrative for the project must reasonably and realistically correspond to the costs and activities necessary for the successful execution of the proposed project.

• Budget (3 points) o 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 in the appropriate areas of the SF-424 and SF424A. All costs must align.

• Detailed Expenditure Worksheet (7 points) o The Applicant must provide a detailed justification for all budget items in sufficient detail to enable the proposal reviewers to evaluate the appropriateness of the funding requested (e.g., staffing, infrastructure, work activities, materials and supplies, equipment, etc.). The budget justification must be broken-out and detailed using the same budget categories as the SF-424A. All costs must align.

Note: For Required Travel Item(s), each Applicant should include travel costs for key personnel to attend the Association of Women’s Business Centers Annual Conference.

Agency Priority Points (10 points)

SBA is committed to ensuring that women entrepreneurs from underserved and rural communities have access to the resources needed to start, grow, manage, and sustain resilient businesses. In response to the challenges that these entrepreneurs face, SBA is prioritizing projects targeting women entrepreneurs from underserved and rural communities.

• Engaging Women Entrepreneurs from Underserved Communities (5 points) o The Applicant should address their efforts to engage women entrepreneurs from underserved communities.

o The Applicant should describe current efforts, past results, and how the priority will be executed through the WBC project.

• Engaging Women Entrepreneurs from Rural Communities (5 points) o The Applicant should address their efforts to support women entrepreneurs in rural entrepreneurial ecosystems.

o The Applicant should describe current efforts, past results, and how the priority will be executed through the WBC project.

4.1.3 Budget Information

Budget information for the twelve (12)-month period of performance must be provided through the submission of the following:

• SF-424, Application for Federal Assistance

• SF-424A, Budget Information – Non-Construction Programs

Project Budget Workbook

• Budget must be submitted in its original Microsoft Excel file format. However, an Applicant may substitute their own worksheets in place of the Annual Budget Summary provided it includes all the same cost elements/line items covered by the Annual Budget Summary.

• The Project Budget Workbook includes a narrative area where Applicants can provide a brief but detailed explanation of the components of each cost element listed in the SF-424A and Annual Budget Summary (an example can be found on the Example tab of the Annual Budget Summary).

Detailed Expenditure Worksheet (Located at www.sba.gov/wbc)

Use the following guidance for preparing the budget:

• Personnel: List all staff positions by title (both proposed and current, if applicable). Give the annual salary of each position, the percentage of each position’s time devoted to the project, the amount of each position’s salary funded by the grant, and the total personnel cost for the period of performance.

• Fringe Benefits: For salaried employees, provide a breakdown of the amounts and percentages that comprise fringe benefit costs such as health insurance, Federal Insurance Contributions Act (FICA), retirement, etc.

• Travel: Specify the estimated number of in-state and out-of-state trips for project staff, along with each trip’s purpose, mileage, per diem, and the associated staff who traveled. For Required Travel Item(s), each Applicant should include travel costs for key personnel to attend the Association of Women’s Business Centers Annual Conference.

• Equipment: Identify each item of equipment you expect to purchase which has an estimated acquisition cost of $10,000.00 or more per unit and a useful lifetime of more than one year (see 2 CFR §200.1 for the definition of “Equipment”). List the quantity and unit cost per item.