Department of Commerce, Minority Business Development Agency, Atlanta Regional Office, 401 West Peachtree Street, N.W., Suite 1715, Atlanta, Georgia 30308-3516

R -- COOPERATIVE AGREEMENT TO OPERATE THE MINORITY BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT CENTER SOL 04-10-96003-01 DUE 010396. Contact Person, Robert Henderson (404) 730-3300. In accordance with Executive Order 11625 and 15 U.S.C. 1512, the Minority Business Development Agency (MBDA) is soliciting competitive applications to operate its WEST PALM BEACH, FLORIDA Minority Business Development Center (MBDC). Contingent upon the availability of Federal funds, the cost performance for the first budget period (13 months) from April 1, 1996 to April 30, 1997, is estimated at $198,971. The total Federal amount is $169,125 and is composed of $165,000 plus the Audit Fee amount of $4,125. The application must include a minimum cost share of 15%, $29,846 in non-federal (cost-sharing) contributions for a total project cost of $198,971. Cost-sharing contributions may be in the form of cash, client fees, third party in-kind contributions, non-cash applicant contributions or combinations thereof. The MBDC will provide service in the WEST PALM BEACH, FLORIDA Metropolitan Area. The funding instrument for this project will be a cooperative agreement. For those applicants who are not incumbent organizations or who are incumbents that have experienced closure due to a break in service, a 30-day start-up period will be added to their first budget period, making it a 13-month award. Competition is open to individuals, non-profit and for-profit organizations, state and local governments, American Indian tribes and educational institutions. A pre-application conference will be held on DECEMBER 20, 1995, at 9:00 a.m., at the Atlanta Regional Office, 401 W. Peachtree Street, N.W., Suite 1715, Atlanta, Georgia 30308-3516, (404) 730-3300. The purpose of the MBDC Program is to provide business development services to the minority business community to help establish and maintain viable minority businesses. To this end, MBDA funds organizations to identify and coordinate public and private sector resources on behalf of minority individuals and firms; to offer a full range of client services to minority entrepreneurs; and to serve as a conduit of information and assistance regarding minority business. Applications will be evaluated on the following criteria: the knowledge, background and/or capabilities of the firm and its staff in addressing the needs of the business community in general and, specifically, the special needs of minority businesses, individuals and organizations (45 points), the resources available to the firm in providing business development services (10 points); the firm's approach (techniques and methodologies) to performing the work requirements included in the application (25 points); and the firm's estimated cost for providing such assistance (20 points). An application must receive at least 70% of the points assigned to each evaluation criteria category to be considered programmatically acceptable and responsive. Those applications determined to be acceptable and responsive will then be evaluated by the Director of MBDA. Final award selections shall be based on the number of points received, the demonstrated responsibility of the applicant, and the determination of those most likely to further the purpose of the MBDC program. Negative audit findings and recommendations and unsatisfactory performance under prior Federal awards may result in an application not being considered for award. The applicant with the highest point score will not necessarily receive the award. The MBDC shall be required to contribute at least 15% of the total project cost through non-Federal contributions. To assist in this effort, the MBDC may charge client fees for services rendered. Fees may range from $10 to $60 per hour based on the gross receipts of the client's business. Periodic reviews culminating in year-to-date evaluations will be conducted to determine if funding for the project should continue. Continued funding will be at the total discretion of the MBDA based on such factors as the MBDC's performance, the availability of funds and Agency priorities. DATES: The closing date for applications JANUARY 3, 1996. Applications must be received in the MBDA HEADQUARTERS' EXECUTIVE SECRETARIAT on or before JANUARY 3, 1996. ADDRESSES: Completed application packages should be submitted to the U.S. DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE, MINORITY BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT AGENCY, 14TH AND CONSTITUTION AVENUE, N.W., ROOM 5073, WASHINGTON, D.C. 20230. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION AND AN APPLICATION PACKAGE, CONTACT: Robert Henderson at (404) 730-3300. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Anticipated processing time of this award is 120 days. Executive Order 12372, ``Intergovernmental Review of Federal Programs,'' is not applicable to this program. Federal funds for this project include audit funds for non-CPA recipients. In event that a CPA firm wins the competition, the funds allocated for audits are not applicable. Questions concerning the preceding information can be answered by the contact person indicated above, and copies of application kits and applicable regulations can be obtained at the above address. The collection of information requirements for this project have been approved by the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) and assigned OMB control number 0640-0006. Pre-Award Costs - Applicants are hereby notified that if they incur any costs prior to an award being made, they do so solely at their own risk of not being reimbursed by the Government. Notwithstanding any verbal assurance that an applicant may have received, there is no obligation on the part of the Department of Commerce to cover pre-award costs. Awards under this program shall be subject to all Federal laws, and Federal and Departmental regulations, policies, and procedures applicable to Federal financial assistance awards. Outstanding Account Receivable - No award of Federal funds shall be made to an applicant who has an outstanding delinquent Federal debt until either the delinquent account is paid in full, repayment schedule is established and at least on payment is received, or other arrangements satisfactory to the Department of Commerce are made. Name Check Policy - All non-profit and for-profit applicants are subject to a name check review process. Name checks are intended to reveal if any key individuals associated with the applicant have been convicted of or are presently facing criminal charges such as fraud, theft, perjury or other matters which significantly reflect on the the applicant's management honesty or financial integrity. Award Termination - The Departmental Grants Officer may terminate any grant/cooperative agreement. Examples of some of the conditions which can cause termination are failure to meet cost-sharing requirements; unsatisfactory performance of the MBDC work requirements; and reporting inaccurate or inflated claims of client assistance. Such inaccurate or inflated claims may be deemed illegal and punishable by law. False Statements - A false statement on an application for Federal financial assistance is grounds for denial or termination of funds, and grounds for possible punishment by a fine or imprisonment as provided in 18 U.S.C. 1001. Primary Applicant Certifications - All primary applicants must submit a completed Form CD-511, ``Certifications Regarding Debarment, Suspension and Other Responsibility Matters; Drug-Free Workplace Requirements and Lobbying.'' Nonprocurement Debarment and Suspension - Prospective participants (as defined at 15 CFR Part 26, Section 26.105) are subject to 15 CFR Part 26, ``Nonprocurement Debarment and Suspension'' and the related section of the certification form prescribed above applies. Drug Free Workplace - Grantees (as defined at 15 CFR Part 26, Section 26.605) are subject to 15 CFR Part 26, Subpart F, ``Governmentwide Requirements for Drug-Free Workplace (Grants)'' and the related section of the certification form prescribed above applies. Anti-Lobbying - Persons (as defined at 15 CFR part 28, Section 28.105) are subject to the lobbying provisions of 31 U.S.C. 1352, ``Limitation on use of appropriated funds to influence certain Federal contracting and financial transaction,'' and the lobbying section of the certification form prescribed above applies to applications/bids for grants, cooperative agreements, and contracts for more than $100,000, and loans and loan guarantees for more than $150,000 or the single family maximum mortgage limit for affected programs, whichever is greater. Anti-Lobbying Disclosures - Any applicant that has paid or will pay for lobbying using any funds must submit an SF-LLL, ``Disclosure of Lobbying Activities,'' as required under 15 CFR Part 28, Appendix B. Lower Tier Certifications - Recipients shall require applications/bidders for subgrants, contracts, subcontracts, or other lower tier covered transactions at any tier under the award to submit, if applicable, a completed Form CD-512, ``Certifications Regarding Debarment, Suspension, Ineligibility and Voluntary Exclusion-Lower Tier Covered Transaction and Lobbying'' and disclosure form, SF-LLL, ``Disclosure of Lobbying Activities.'' Form CD-512 is intended for the use of recipients and should not be transmitted to DOC. SF-LLL submitted by any tier recipient or subrecipient should be submitted to DOC in accordance with the instructions contained in the award document. Buy American-DOC in accordance with the instructions contained in the award document. Buy American-made Equipment or Products - Applicants are hereby notified that they are encouraged, to the extent feasible, to purchase American-made equipment and products with funding provided under this program in accordance with Congressional intent as set forth in the resolution contained in Public Law 103-121, Sections 606(a) and (b). The Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance name and number is 11.800 Minority Business Development. (333)

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