The Department of Commerce fosters and promotes the nation's economic development and technological advancement through vigilance in international trade policy, domestic business policy and growth, and promoting economic progress at all levels.
Not Applicable.
Uses and Use Restrictions
Program funds in this category are restricted to the uses stipulated by congressional mandate, or for the specific uses identified as part of a pilot or demonstration project.
Funds must be used for program-related costs.
MBDA is subject to the availability of funds.
Eligibility Requirements
Applicant Eligibility
Applicants eligible to provide services under pilot or demonstration projects are nonprofit organizations, for-profit firms, State and local governments, Native American Tribal entities, and educational institutions.
Applicants for congressionally mandated projects are those specifically identified in applicable legislation.
Beneficiary Eligibility
Congressionally mandated award beneficiaries are members of the minority business community. Pilot or demonstration project beneficiaries are minority business enterprises.
Credentials/Documentation
Recipients are subject to the administrative requirements contained in 15 CFR Part 14 or 15 CFR Part 24, depending on the type of recipient. Eligible costs under the award will be determined in accordance with 2 C.F.R. part 220 (2007) (OMB Circular A-21, "Cost Principles for Educational Organizations), 2 C.F.R. part 225 (2007) (OMB Circular A-87, "Cost Principles for State, Local and Indian Tribal Governments) and 2 C.F.R. part 230 (2007) (OMB Circular A-122, "Cost Principles for Nonprofit Organizations). OMB Circular No. A-87 applies to this program.
Aplication and Award Process
Preapplication Coordination
Preapplication coordination is required.
Environmental impact information is not required for this program.
This program is excluded from coverage under E.O.
12372.
Application Procedures
OMB Circular No. A-102 applies to this program. OMB Circular No. A-110 applies to this program. Application packages will be made available on Grants.gov. Applicants must submit a program narrative, and applicable standard forms (SF) and Department of Commerce (CD) forms.
Award Procedures
MBDA makes the funding recommendation to the Grants Officer. The Grants Officer will review the recommendation, process the funding request and execute the notice of award. Name checks, verification of academic credentials and pre-award audits may be required of the recipient prior to award. Electronic notification of award will be generated and forwarded to the selected recipient by the Grants Officer.
Deadlines
Contact the headquarters or regional office, as appropriate, for application deadlines.
Authorization
Executive Order 11625, October 13, 1971, 15 U.S.C 1512.
Range of Approval/Disapproval Time
From 120 to 180 days. Unsuccessful applicants shall be notified in writing within ten days of notification to the successful applicant.
Appeals
All decisions are final. There are no administrative appeals, however, unsuccessful applicants may request debriefing from MBDA.
Renewals
Renewals are not anticipated, but may be considered based on Agency priorities, funding availability and performance of recipients.
Assistance Considerations
Formula and Matching Requirements
This program has no statutory formula.
Matching Requirements: Congressionally mandated awards typically do not require matching funds. Pilot projects may require non-Federal cost-sharing in the form of in-kind contributions, cash and/or program fees. Cost share requirements are outlined in the applicable Federal Register, Federal Funding Opportunity announcement and Grants.gov.
MOE requirements are not applicable to this program.
Length and Time Phasing of Assistance
Congressionally mandated awards are typically funded for a one-year period. Pilot or demonstration projects may be funded as single-year or multi-year awards. See the following for information on how assistance is awarded/released: Monthly drawdown of funds available.
Post Assistance Requirements
Reports
Financial (quarterly and annual) and program compliance and/or performance (semi-annual and final) reports are required.
Cash reports are not applicable.
At a minimum, a cmprehensive final report is required.
A completed SF-425 financial report is required quarterly.
MBDA conducts periodic performance monitoring reviews.
Audits
In accordance with the provisions of OMB Circular No. A-133 (Revised, June 27, 2003), "Audits of States, Local Governments, and Non-Profit Organizations," nonfederal entities that expend financial assistance of $500,000 or more in Federal awards will have a single or a program-specific audit conducted for that year. Nonfederal entities that expend less than $500,000 a year in Federal awards are exempt from Federal audit requirements for that year, except as noted in Circular No. A-133. Audits shall be performed in accordance with the requirements contained in Office of Management and Budget (OMB) Circular A-133. OMB Circular A-133 requires that non-profit organizations, government agencies, Indian tribes and educational institutions expending $500,000 or more in federal funds during a one-year period conduct a single audit in accordance with guidelines outlined in the Circular. Commercial and other organizations not covered by OMB Circular A-133 will be subject to the audit requirements set forth in the terms and conditions of the award. In addition, audits may be conducted by the Department of Commerce Office of Inspector General and by other authorized federal agencies.
Records
Documents, papers and financial records of grantees or subrecipients relating to the award are required to remain available to the Federal Government for three years from the date of submission of the final financial status report.
Financial Information
Account Identification
13-0201-0-1-376.
Obigations
(Salaries) FY 09 $0; FY 10 est $1,100,000; FY 11 est $0
Range and Average of Financial Assistance
Not applicable.
Regulations, Guidelines, and Literature
Not Applicable.
Information Contacts
Regional or Local Office
See Regional Agency Offices. Contact the nearest Minority Business Development Agency Regional Office listed in Appendix IV of the Catalog.
Headquarters Office
Office of Business Development, Minority Business Development Agency, Department of Commerce, 14th and Constitution Avenue, N.W., , Washington, District of Columbia 20230 Phone: (202) 482-1940.
Criteria for Selecting Proposals
Awards are made based on a panel evaluation of the applications. This evaluation includes such factors as capability and experience of staff assigned to the project, techniques and methodology, resources and costs.
Nonprofit impact investing firm, Acumen, has invested $1.2 million to KZ Noir, a Rwanda-based coffee processing company owned by Kaizen Venture Partners. The investment will equip KZ Noir the funds for working capital, debt refinancing, and capacity expansion.