[Federal Register Volume 72, Number 129 (Friday, July 6, 2007)]
[Notices]
[Pages 36952-36955]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E7-13130]
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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
Economic Development Administration
[Docket No.: 070627220-7221-01]
Solicitation of Applications for the National Technical
Assistance, Training, Research and Evaluation Program: Economic
Development Research Projects
AGENCY: Economic Development Administration, Department of Commerce.
ACTION: Notice and request for applications.
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SUMMARY: The Economic Development Administration (EDA) is soliciting
applications for FY 2007 National Technical Assistance, Training,
Research and Evaluation program (NTA Program) funding. Through this
notice, EDA solicits applications for funding that address one or more
of the following four research projects: (1) Rural economic development
policy; (2) business incubators; (3) 21st century regionalism; and (4)
private sector community investment. EDA's mission is to lead the
federal economic development agenda by promoting innovation and
competitiveness, preparing American regions for growth and success in
the worldwide economy. Through its NTA Program, EDA works towards
fulfilling its mission by funding research and technical assistance
projects to promote competitiveness and innovation in rural and urban
regions throughout the United States and its territories. By working in
conjunction with its research partners, EDA will help States, local
governments and community-based organizations to achieve their highest
economic potential.
DATES: To be considered timely, a completed application, regardless of
the format in which it is submitted, must be either: (1) Received by
the EDA representative listed below under ``Paper Submissions'' no
later than August 3, 2007 at 5 p.m. EST; or (2) transmitted and time-
stamped at www.grants.gov no later than August 3, 2007 at 5 p.m. EST.
Any application received or transmitted, as the case may be, after 5
p.m. EST on August 3, 2007 will be considered non-responsive and will
not be considered for funding. Please see the instructions below under
``Submitting Application Packages'' for information regarding format
options for submitting completed applications. The closing date and
time are the same for paper submissions as for electronic submissions.
By September 5, 2007, EDA expects to notify the applicants selected for
investment assistance under this notice. The selected applicants should
expect to receive funding for their projects within thirty days of
EDA's notification of selection. Applicants choosing to submit
completed applications electronically in whole or in part through
www.grants.gov should follow the instructions set out below under
``Electronic Access'' and in section IV. of the complete Federal
Funding Opportunity (FFO) announcement for this request for
applications.
ADDRESSES: Paper Submissions: Full or partial paper (hardcopy)
applications submitted under the NTA program may be hand-delivered or
mailed to Dr. William P. Kittredge, Senior Program Analyst, Economic
Development Administration, Room 7009, U.S. Department of Commerce,
1401
[[Page 36953]]
Constitution Avenue, NW., Washington, DC 20230. Applicants are advised
that, due to mail security measures, EDA's receipt of mail sent via the
United States Postal Service may be substantially delayed or suspended
in delivery. Applicants may wish to use a guaranteed overnight delivery
service.
Electronic Submissions: Applicants submitting full or partial paper
submissions are encouraged to do so by e-mail. Completed applications
may be e-mailed to William P. Kittredge, Senior Program Analyst, at
[email protected]. Applicants also may submit applications
electronically in whole or in part in accordance with the instructions
provided at www.grants.gov and in section IV.B. of the applicable FFO
announcement. EDA strongly encourages that applicants not wait until
the application closing date to begin the application process through
www.grants.gov. The preferred file format for electronic attachments
(e.g., the project narrative and additional exhibits to Form ED-900A
and Form ED-900A's program-specific component) is portable document
format (PDF); however, EDA will accept electronic files in Microsoft
Word, WordPerfect, Lotus or Excel formats.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For additional information on the NTA
Program or to obtain paper application packages for this notice, please
contact William P. Kittredge, Senior Program Analyst, via e-mail at
[email protected] (preferred) or by telephone at (202) 482-5442.
For additional information regarding electronic submissions, please
access the following link for assistance in navigating www.grants.gov
and for a list of useful resources: www.grants.gov/applicants/
applicant--help.jsp. If you do not find an answer to your question
under Frequently Asked Questions, try consulting the Applicant's User
Guide. If you still cannot find an answer to your question, contact
www.grants.gov via e-mail at [email protected] or telephone at 1-800-
518-4726. The hours of operation for www.grants.gov are Monday-Friday,
7 a.m. to 9 p.m. (EST) (except for federal holidays).
Additional information about EDA and its NTA Program may be
obtained from EDA's Internet Web site at http://www.eda.gov. The
complete FFO announcement for this request for applications is
available at http://www.grants.gov and at http://www.eda.gov.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Background Information: EDA is soliciting applications for FY 2007
NTA Program funding. Through this notice, EDA solicits applications for
funding that address one or more of the following four research
projects: (1) Rural economic development policy; (2) business
incubators; (3) 21st century regionalism; and (4) private sector
community investment. EDA's intent is to create practitioner-accessible
tools that can be used to bring the best current thinking to bear on
specific problems. As described in the complete FFO announcement, each
research project has three component deliverables: (1) A practitioner-
accessible report of the findings in the subject area that should be
presented in a visually-appealing brochure summarizing key elements and
findings; (2) a presentation to EDA senior management at the close of
the study that outlines project methods in plain, non-technical
language and summarizes the report's conclusions in a manner suitable
for dissemination to the public; and (3) participation with EDA in
conferences and meetings to discuss the results of the research. With
respect to the first deliverable noted above, approximately 500
brochures should be provided to EDA, with each brochure containing a
compact disk (CD) version of the report in searchable Adobe PDF format.
The CD should contain a full topical and subject index of the materials
such that a practitioner seeking specific information can quickly
locate the desired information and, utilizing intra-report links,
quickly locate allied or associated information that may be necessary
or useful for the completion of the task. A method by which
practitioners may access updated data encapsulated in the final report
without charge is desirable.
Any information disseminated to the public under this request for
applications is subject to the Information Quality Act (Pub. L. 106-
554). Applicants are required to comply with the Information Quality
Guidelines issued by EDA pursuant to the Information Quality Act, which
are designed to ensure and maximize the quality, objectivity, utility
and integrity of information disseminated by EDA. These guidelines are
available on EDA's Web site at http://www.eda.gov.
Application Package: The application package consists of the
following three forms:
(1) Form ED-900A, Application for Investment Assistance (OMB
Control No. 0610-0094);
(2) Form ED-900A's program-specific component, National Technical
Assistance, Training, and Research and Evaluation Program Requirements
(OMB Control No. 0610-0094); and
(3) Form SF-424, Application for Federal Assistance (OMB Control
No. 4040-0004). Applicants must submit all components of the
application package in accordance with the instructions provided in
sections IV. and VII.B. of the FFO announcement.
Submitting Application Packages: Applications may be submitted in
one of three formats: (1) Full paper (hardcopy) submission; (2) partial
paper (hardcopy) submission and partial electronic submission; or (3)
full electronic submission, each in accordance with the procedures
provided in section IV.B. of the applicable FFO announcement. The
content of the application package is the same for paper submissions as
it is for electronic submissions. Applications completed in accordance
with the instructions set forth in the FFO announcement, regardless of
the option chosen for submission, will be considered for EDA funding
under this notice. Non-compliant or incomplete applications and
applications submitted by facsimile will not be considered.
Paper Access: Each of the three forms listed above under
``Application Package'' are separate attachments available at http://www.eda.gov/InvestmentsGrants/Application.xml. You may print copies of
each of these forms from http://www.eda.gov/InvestmentsGrants/Application.xml. You also may obtain paper application packages by
contacting the EDA representative listed above under FOR FURTHER
INFORMATION CONTACT.
Electronic Access: Applicants may apply electronically through
www.grants.gov and may access this grant opportunity synopsis by
following the instructions provided on http://www.grants.gov/search/basic.do. The synopsis will have an application package, which is an
electronic file that contains forms pertaining to this specific funding
opportunity. On http://www.grants.gov/search/basic.do, applicants can
perform a basic search for this funding opportunity by completing the
``Keyword Search,'' the ``Search by Funding Opportunity Number,'' or
the ``Search by CFDA Number'' field, and then clicking the ``Search''
button.
Funding Availability: EDA may use funds appropriated under the
Revised Continuing Appropriations Resolution, 2007, Public Law 110-5
(February 15, 2007) to make awards under the NTA Program authorized
under section 207 of the Public Works and Economic Development Act of
1965 (42 U.S.C. 3147), as amended (PWEDA), and 13 CFR part 306, subpart
A. Approximately $2,700,000 is available, and shall
[[Page 36954]]
remain available until expended, for funding awards pursuant to this
notice and request for applications. This notice is the second of three
Federal Register notices for requests for applications under the NTA
Program. EDA anticipates spending approximately $1,000,000 of available
NTA Program funds to fund all four research projects under this notice.
Based on recent past awards for projects similar to the projects
solicited under this notice, the range of funding awards has been from
$150,000 to $350,000 for each project.
Statutory Authority: The authority for the NTA Program is PWEDA.
EDA published final regulations (codified at 13 CFR chapter III) in the
Federal Register on September 27, 2006 (71 FR 56658). The final
regulations became effective upon publication and reflect changes made
to PWEDA by the Economic Development Administration Reauthorization Act
of 2004 (Pub. L. 108-373, 118 Stat. 1756 (2004)). These regulations
will govern an award made under this notice and request for
applications. The final regulations and PWEDA are accessible on EDA's
Internet Web site at http://www.eda.gov/InvestmentsGrants/Lawsreg.xml.
Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance (CFDA) Numbers: 11.303,
Economic Development--Technical Assistance; 11.312, Economic
Development-Research and Evaluation
Eligibility Requirement: Pursuant to PWEDA, eligible applicants for
and eligible recipients of EDA investment assistance include a District
Organization; an Indian Tribe or a consortium of Indian Tribes; a
State; a city or other political subdivision of a State, including a
special purpose unit of a State or local government engaged in economic
or infrastructure development activities, or a consortium of political
subdivisions; an institution of higher education or a consortium of
institutions of higher education; a public or private non-profit
organization or association; and, as provided in section 207 of PWEDA
(42 U.S.C. 3147) for the NTA Program, a private individual or a for-
profit organization. See section 3 of PWEDA (42 U.S.C. 3122) and 13 CFR
300.3.
Cost Sharing Requirement: Generally, the amount of the EDA grant
may not exceed fifty percent of the total cost of the project. However,
a project may receive an additional amount that shall not exceed thirty
percent, based on the relative needs of the region in which the project
will be located, as determined by EDA. See section 204(a) of PWEDA (42
U.S.C. 3144) and 13 CFR 301.4(b)(1). Under this announcement, the
Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Economic Development (Assistant
Secretary) has the discretion to establish a maximum EDA investment
rate of up to one hundred percent where the project: (1) Merits and is
not otherwise feasible without an increase to the EDA investment rate;
or (2) will be of no or only incidental benefit to the recipient. See
section 204(c)(3) of PWEDA (42 U.S.C. 3144) and 13 CFR 301.4(b)(4).
While cash cost-sharing contributions are preferred, in-kind
contributions, consisting of assumptions of debt or contributions of
space, equipment and services, may provide the non-federal share of the
total project cost. See section 204(b) of PWEDA (42 U.S.C. 3144). EDA
will fairly evaluate all in-kind contributions, which must be eligible
project costs and meet applicable federal cost principles and uniform
administrative requirements. Funds from other federal financial
assistance awards are considered matching share funds only if
authorized by statute that allows such use, which may be determined by
EDA's reasonable interpretation of the statute. See 13 CFR 300.3. The
applicant must show that the matching share is committed to the
project, available as needed and not conditioned or encumbered in any
way that precludes its use consistent with the requirements of EDA
investment assistance. See 13 CFR 301.5.
Intergovernmental Review: Applications under the NTA Program are
not subject to Executive Order 12372, ``Intergovernmental Review of
Federal Programs.''
Evaluation and Selection Procedures: To apply for an award under
this request for applications, an eligible applicant must submit a
completed application package to EDA before the closing date and time
specified in the ``Dates'' section of this notice, and in the manner
provided in section IV. of the applicable FFO announcement. Any
application received or transmitted, as the case may be, after 5 p.m.
EST on August 3, 2007 will not be considered for funding. Applications
that do not include all items required or that exceed the page
limitations set forth in section IV.C. of the FFO announcement will be
considered non-responsive and will not be considered by the review
panel. By September 5, 2007, EDA expects to notify the applicants
selected for investment assistance under this notice. Unsuccessful
applicants will be notified by postal mail that their applications were
not selected for funding. Applications that meet all the requirements
will be evaluated by a review panel comprised of at least three EDA
staff members, all of whom will be full-time federal employees.
Evaluation Criteria: The review panel will evaluate the
applications and rate and rank them using the following criteria of
approximate equal weight:
1. Conformance with EDA's statutory and regulatory requirements,
including the extent to which the proposed project satisfies the award
requirements set out below and as provided in 13 CFR 306.2:
a. Strengthens the capacity of local, State or national
organizations and institutions to undertake and promote effective
economic development programs targeted to regions of distress;
b. Benefits distressed regions; and
c. Demonstrates innovative approaches to stimulate economic
development in distressed regions;
2. The degree to which an EDA investment will have strong
organizational leadership, relevant project management experience and a
significant commitment of human resources talent to ensure the
project's successful execution (see 13 CFR 301.8(b));
3. The ability of the applicant to implement the proposed project
successfully (see 13 CFR 301.8);
4. The feasibility of the budget presented; and
5. The cost to the Federal government.
Also, the addition of research and project data to an existing
website or the design of a companion Web site designed to disseminate
research results and provide links to data encapsulated in the report
free of charge is preferred.
Selection Factors: The Assistant Secretary, as the Selecting
Official, expects to fund the highest ranking applications, as
recommended by the review panel, submitted under this request for
applications. However, if EDA does not receive satisfactory
applications, the Assistant Secretary may not make any selection.
Depending on the quality of the applications received, the Assistant
Secretary may select more than one application for one research project
and make no selection for another research project. Also, he may select
an application out of rank order for the following reasons: (1) A
determination that the selected application better meets the overall
objectives of sections 2 and 207 of PWEDA (42 U.S.C. 3121 and 3147);
(2) the applicant's performance under previous awards; or (3) the
availability of funding.
The Department of Commerce Pre-Award Notification Requirements for
Grants and Cooperative Agreements
The Department of Commerce Pre-Award Notification Requirements for
[[Page 36955]]
Grants and Cooperative Agreements, published in the Federal Register on
December 30, 2004 (69 FR 78389), are applicable to this announcement.
This notice may be accessed by entering the Federal Register volume and
page number provided in the previous sentence at the following Internet
Web site: http://www.gpoaccess.gov/fr/retrieve.html.
Paperwork Reduction Act
This request for applications contains collections of information
subject to the requirements of the Paperwork Reduction Act (PRA). The
Office of Management and Budget (OMB) has approved the use of Form ED-
900A (Application for Investment Assistance) under control number 0610-
0094. Form ED-900A's program-specific component (National Technical
Assistance, Training, and Research and Evaluation Program Requirements)
also is approved under OMB control number 0610-0094, and incorporates
Forms SF-424A (Budget Information--Non-Construction Programs, OMB
control number 0348-0044) and SF-424B (Assurances--Non-Construction
Programs, OMB control number 0348-0040). OMB has approved the use of
Form SF-424 (Application for Financial Assistance) under control number
4040-0004. Notwithstanding any other provision of law, no person is
required to respond to, nor shall any person be subject to a penalty
for failure to comply with, a collection of information subject to the
requirements of the PRA unless the collection of information displays a
currently valid OMB control number.
Executive Order 12866
This notice has been determined to be not significant for purposes
of Executive Order 12866, ``Regulatory Planning and Review.''
Executive Order 13132
It has been determined that this notice does not contain ``policies
that have Federalism implications,'' as that phrase is defined in
Executive Order 13132, ``Federalism.''
Administrative Procedure Act/Regulatory Flexibility Act
Prior notice and an opportunity for public comments are not
required by the Administrative Procedure Act or any other law for rules
concerning grants, benefits, and contracts (5 U.S.C. 553(a)(2)).
Because notice and opportunity for comment are not required pursuant to
5 U.S.C. 553 or any other law, the analytical requirements of the
Regulatory Flexibility Act (5 U.S.C. 601 et seq.) are inapplicable.
Therefore, a regulatory flexibility analysis has not been prepared.
Dated: June 29, 2007.
Benjamin Erulkar,
Deputy Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Economic Development and
Chief Operating Officer.
[FR Doc. E7-13130 Filed 7-5-07; 8:45 am]
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