[Federal Register: May 23, 2003 (Volume 68, Number 100)]
[Notices]
[Page 28671-28675]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr23my03-160]
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Part V
Department of Commerce
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National Technical Assistance, Training, Research, and Evaluation:
University Research Parks, Technology-Led Economic Development
Strategies, and Information Dissemination--Request for Proposals;
Notices
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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
Economic Development Administration
[Docket No. 991215339-3117-07]
RIN 0610-ZA14
National Technical Assistance, Training, Research, and
Evaluation: University Research Parks, Technology-Led Economic
Development Strategies, and Information Dissemination--Request for
Proposals
AGENCY: Economic Development Administration (EDA), Department of
Commerce (DoC).
ACTION: Request for Grant Proposals (RFP) upon availability of funds.
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SUMMARY: The role of government is to create conditions in which jobs
are created, and in which people can find work. EDA is soliciting
proposals (1) to measure the economic impact of university research
parks in the United States, (2) to provide technical assistance to
practitioners to accelerate transition to technology-led economic
development strategies, and (3) to disseminate information to economic
development practitioners serving distressed communities that will help
our partners across the nation (States, regions and communities) create
wealth and minimize poverty by promoting a favorable business
environment to attract private capital investment and high skill, high
wage jobs through world-class capacity building, infrastructure,
business assistance, research grants and strategic initiatives. EDA
will fulfill this mission by promoting progressive domestic business
policies and growth, and by assisting States, communities, and
individuals to achieve their highest economic potential.
DATES: Prospective applicants are advised that EDA will conduct a pre-
proposal conference on June 12, 2003, at 2 p.m. e.d.t. in the
Department of Commerce, Herbert C. Hoover Building, 1401 Constitution
Avenue, NW., Washington, DC 20230, Room 1412, at which time questions
regarding these projects can be answered. Prospective applicants unable
to attend this pre-proposal conference may participate by
teleconference. Teleconference information may be obtained by calling
(202) 482-4085 between 8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m. e.d.t. on June 11, 2003.
Proposals for funding under this program will be accepted through
June 30, 2003, at either of the addresses provided below. Proposals
received after 4 p.m. e.d.t., on June 30, 2003, will not be considered
for funding.
By July 15, 2003, EDA will notify proposers whether they will be
given further funding consideration. Each successful proponent will be
invited to submit an Application for Federal Assistance, OMB Control
Number 0610-0094. Projects will be funded no later than September 30,
2003.
ADDRESSES:
1. Proposals may be e-mailed to jmcnamee@eda.doc.gov, or
2. Proposals may be hand-delivered to: John J. McNamee, Director,
Research and National Technical Assistance Division, Economic
Development Administration, Room 1874, U.S. Department of Commerce,
1401 Constitution Avenue, NW., Washington, DC 20230, or
3. Proposals may be mailed to: John J. McNamee, Director, Research
and National Technical Assistance Division, Economic Development
Administration, Room 7019, U.S. Department of Commerce, 1401
Constitution Avenue, NW., Washington, DC 20230.
Proponents are encouraged to submit proposals by e-mail. Proponents
are advised that, due to mail security measures, receipt of U.S.P.S.
mail may be delayed for up to two weeks. EDA will not accept proposals
submitted by FAX.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: John J. McNamee (202) 482-4085; e-
mail: jmcnamee@eda.doc.gov.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: In a previous notice published on April 9,
2003 (68 FR 17520), EDA stated that it would publish a separate
announcement for certain National Technical Assistance, Research, and
Evaluation projects. Pursuant to that notice, EDA publishes program
requirements and solicits applications for those programs.
I. Funding Availability
Funding appropriated under Public Law 108-07 is available for the
National Technical Assistance, Training, Research, and Evaluation
program authorized by the Public Works and Economic Development Act of
1965, as amended (Pub. L. 89-136, 42 U.S.C. 3121, et seq.) and as
further amended by the Economic Development Administration Reform Act
of 1998 (Pub. L. 105-393). Funds in the amount of $1,590,093 have been
appropriated for these programs for FY 2003 and shall remain available
until expended. Awards will be in the form of grants or cooperative
agreements. In funding cooperative agreements, a common example of
substantial involvement is collaboration between EDA program staff and
the recipient of an information dissemination award to select topics
and presenters for satellite telecasts and regional policy forums, or
reviewing a research project's methodology at critical stages as well
as reviewing the draft written report. The average funding level in FY
2002 for National Technical Assistance investments was $134,000, and
for Research and Evaluation investments was $105,000. EDA anticipates
using only a portion of the available funding for the three RFPs
described below.
II. Authority
The authority for the programs listed above is the Public Works and
Economic Development Act of 1965, as amended (Pub. L. 89-136, 42 U.S.C.
3121 et seq.), and as further amended by Pub.L. 105-393.
III. Eligibility
Eligible recipients of EDA financial assistance are defined at 13
CFR 300.2 and eligible applicants are specified at 13 CFR 301.1. An
``area'' is an eligible recipient and is defined at 13 CFR 301.2. One
category of the areas eligible for financial assistance are those areas
meeting the ``special needs'' criteria. The special needs criteria are
published in part XV of the Federal Register notice of April 9, 2003
(68 FR 17524).
IV. Proposal Format
Each proposal submitted must include:
1. A description of how the researcher(s) intend(s) to carry out
the scope of work (not to exceed 10 pages in length);
2. A proposed budget and accompanying explanation;
3. Resumes/qualifications of key staff (not to exceed two pages per
individual, with an additional two pages allowed for a single summary
description of all organizations/consultants named in the proposal);
and
4. A proposed schedule for completion of the project.
V. Evaluation and Selection Process
To apply for an award under this request, an eligible recipient
must submit a proposal to EDA during the specified timeframe, at one of
the addresses specified above. Proposals that do not meet all items
required or that exceed the page limitations of section IV of this RFP,
will be considered nonresponsive, and will not be considered. Proposals
that meet all the requirements will be evaluated by a review panel
comprised of at least three members all of whom will be full-time
Federal employees. The panel first
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evaluates the proposals using the general evaluation criteria set forth
in 13 CFR 304.1 and 304.2 and the supplemental evaluation criteria set
out in part VI of the previous notice published on April 9, 2003 (68 FR
17520). Proposals that meet these threshold criteria will then be
evaluated by the panel using the following criteria of approximate
equal weight:
(1) The quality of a proposal's response to the Scope of Work and
other requirements described in section VI below;
(2) The ability of the prospective applicant to successfully carry
out the proposed activities; and
(3) Cost to the Federal government.
For the information dissemination proposal, the panel will also
apply the following two criteria:
(1) How the proposal demonstrates partnership, particularly at the
national level, between various economic development organizations, and
(2) The amount of the non-Federal share.
The Assistant Secretary for Economic Development is the Selecting
Official. He may not make any selection, or he may substitute one of
the lower rated proposals, if he determines that it better meets the
overall objectives of the Public Works and Economic Development Act of
1965, as amended (Pub. L. 89-136, 42 U.S.C. 3121 et seq.), and as
further amended by Pub. L. 105-393.
If a proposal is selected, EDA will provide the proponent with an
Application for Federal Assistance (OMB Control Number 0610-0094).
VI. Areas of Special Interest
EDA is inviting proposals for National Technical Assistance,
Training, Research, and Evaluation as described below.
A. Program: Research and Evaluation--(Pub. L. 89-136, as Amended by
Pub. L. 105-393, 42 U.S.C. 3147)
(Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance: 11.312 Research and
Evaluation)
I: Measuring the Economic Impact of University Research Parks in the
United States
EDA invites proposals to examine the impact of university research
parks in creating jobs and growing regional economies.
Background: University research parks aim to create clusters of
knowledge-based companies in close proximity to centers of research
excellence. They are fast becoming engines of economic development in
their communities. An increasing amount of applied research and
development work is taking place at universities, many of which
cultivate an environment of innovation and entrepreneurship that
develops and promotes commercial partnerships, creating higher skill
and higher wage jobs. Commercialization efforts take time and require
patience. For those who fund research parks, determining the extent and
precise nature of their contribution to economic development is
important. Research parks must demonstrate the benefits of what they
are doing.
Scope of Work: The successful applicant will:
1. Demonstrate familiarity with existing research on U.S.
university research parks and any gaps that remain in the research;
2. Survey university research parks to identify diverse settings,
including those that contribute to distressed area economic
development;
3. Develop a methodology to identify and measure the impact of
university research parks, including such measures as diversification
of the regional economy, the numbers and kinds of jobs created, the
private sector investments leveraged, the length of time to achieve
significant impact, and how they contribute to the economic health of
distressed areas;
4. Identify effective university research parks and analyze common
and unique areas where they have contributed to local economic
development;
5. Select a number of case studies for detailed review and
analysis;
6. Provide 500 hard copies and an electronic version of a final
report setting forth the evaluation methodology, results, and related
recommendations; and
7. Conduct up to seven presentations of the study findings, as
described in section VII.B.
Timing: This project must be completed and the final report
submitted within one year of approval of the project.
II: Providing Technical Assistance to Practitioners To Accelerate
Transition to Technology-Led Economic Development Strategies
EDA invites proposals to prepare a set of guides to assist economic
development practitioners in their efforts to accelerate regional
transition to technology-led economies.
Background: ``There are no low-tech industries, only low-tech
firms.'' (Professor Michael E. Porter, Institute for Strategy and
Competitiveness, Harvard Business School). Regardless of the type of
local and regional clusters, innovation through higher technological
advancements results in increased productivity which leads to increased
wealth. Economies that capitalize on innovation will prosper.
States and localities have been involved in technology-led economic
development for a long time. Much of what has been learned from
successful efforts remains largely word of mouth. Increasing
communication and cooperation among practitioners will result in
greater effectiveness and maximum impact. Preparing a set of guides
that captures what has been learned from successful efforts would
increase communication and cooperation among practitioners and the
private sector to determine rules of the trade, measures of
effectiveness, and techniques for maximizing impact. More detailed and
useful than simple reports on best practices, each guide would focus on
a specific element of developing technology-led strategies to help
transform local and regional economies. Innovation in all industries
through the development, adoption, and creative application of
technology contributes significantly to economic growth. At the same
time, competitors across the globe have relatively equal access to new
technologies. Regions and localities must adopt technology-led
strategies to become and remain competitive globally. EDA's intent is
to capture and share the expertise and experience that will help
America's distressed communities develop a competitive edge globally.
Scope of Work: The successful applicant will:
1. Have an extensive knowledge of and experience in technology-led
economic development;
2. Be familiar with the issues and the best approaches to building
technology-led economies;
3. Identify a small number of key elements that are critical to
building a technology-based economy;
4. Prepare a set of guides that focus on specific elements through
which economic development practitioners in distressed areas can tap
into the wealth of experience and expertise of other practitioners in
building a technology-based economy;
5. Provide 500 hard copies and electronic versions of each guide;
and
6. Conduct up to seven presentations about the results of the
research, as described in section VII.B.
Timing: This project must be completed within one year of approval
of the project.
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B. Program: National Technical Assistance--(Pub. L. 89-136, as Amended
by Pub. L. 105-393, 42 U.S.C. 3147)
(Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance: 11.303 Economic Development
Technical Assistance)
I: Information Dissemination to Practitioners Serving Distressed Areas
Background: As part of its ongoing mission to assist economically
distressed areas, EDA supports the dissemination of information to
economic development practitioners serving distressed communities. EDA
is soliciting proposals to fund a project that will continue its
mission of serving the economic development needs of distressed rural
and urban areas, takes greater advantage of new technologies for
information dissemination (including the Internet, videoconferencing,
e-mail, etc.), and identifies and provides information, in new or
emerging areas of economic development, needed by practitioners.
EDA anticipates funding a project that will include a variety of
media, as set forth in the proposed scope of work below. Since it is
unlikely that a single organization will have the capacity to implement
all aspects of the scope of work, EDA encourages economic development
organizations to partner with each other. Doing so would also increase
the likelihood that an applicant team would reach a greater segment of
the target audience. EDA's intent is to implement a coordinated and
complementary information dissemination program that, through strategic
linkages, reaches the maximum number of economic development
practitioners.
Scope of Work: The successful applicant will:
1. Conduct four satellite economic development strategy telecasts
targeted to practitioners nationwide. This includes selecting the
topics, presenters or panelists, and case studies for each broadcast,
subject to EDA's concurrence; arranging for the moderator and
facilities to conduct each telecast; undertaking sufficient publicity
that ensures the maximum audience is reached; ensuring that sufficient
local download facilities are available; and building in a feedback
mechanism that measures both the level of participation in and the
effectiveness of the broadcasts. Each telecast must be recorded
digitally so that it can be made available broadly, including on EDA's
and other Web sites.
2. Conduct 20 regional economic development policy forums at
various locations across the country. Each will be approximately two
hours in length, and they will take place in distressed areas of the
country that ordinarily are less served because of their locations away
from major metropolitan areas. They will take place at times and
locations agreed to by EDA. Conducting each forum will include
selecting the topics and presenters or panelists, subject to EDA's
concurrence; arranging for the facilities; undertaking sufficient
publicity to ensure the maximum audience is reached; providing a
written summary of key issues that emerge at each location; and
building in a feedback mechanism that measures both the level of
participation in and effectiveness of each forum.
3. Prepare and disseminate a monthly electronic newsletter with
information targeted to a national audience of economic development
practitioners. The newsletter must be in hypertext markup language
(html), in an attractive and colorful format, but also be available as
a plain text document for those who cannot access it in html. It will
ordinarily be no more than two pages in length, cover three or four
topics each month, and include summaries of critical information,
subject to EDA's concurrence. Where appropriate, it will serve as a
roadmap to other information resources through hot links that
facilitate direct access to more in-depth information. It will be
distributed at no cost to organizations and individuals working to
improve the economic viability of distressed areas. The dissemination
effort includes developing an inclusive e-mailing list, which will be
made available to EDA. The e-mailing list may involve supplementing
and/or combining existing lists that economic development organizations
currently possess, to achieve maximum target audience penetration as
quickly as possible.
4. Prepare a quarterly magazine of approximately 20-40 pages that
will provide in-depth information to practitioners in four-color, high-
quality format, on a range of timely topics consistent with EDA's
mission, and subject to EDA's concurrence. It will cover subjects such
as current administration policy, interviews with key decision-makers
and practitioners, and present and analyze best practice case studies
in economic development. EDA expects that this magazine will be mailed
in hard copy to up to 4,000, depending on costs. In addition to the
hard copy, an html counterpart will be made available for EDA's Web
site.
5. EDA encourages the applicant to propose an innovative
information dissemination effort that is likely to improve the quality,
accessibility, and timeliness of critical information available to
economic development practitioners. It must be consistent with EDA's
mission of assistance to distressed communities that creates higher-
skill, higher-wage jobs, and subject to EDA's concurrence.
Timing: All elements of the Scope of Work will take place between
October 1, 2003, and September 30, 2004, but each has its own specific
time line. The telecasts in Element (1) and the policy forums in
Element (2) will take place at intervals during the year determined in
conjunction with EDA. The electronic newsletter in Element (3) will be
disseminated each month. The Element (5) time line should be consistent
with the nature of the effort.
VII. Other Information and Requirements
EDA regulations at 13 CFR Chapter III are available on the EDA Web
site www.doc.gov/eda. The Department of Commerce Pre-Award Notification
Requirements for Grants and Cooperative Agreements contained in the
Federal Register notice of October 1, 2001 (66 FR 49917), as amended by
the Federal Register notice published on October 30, 2002 (67 FR
66109), are applicable to this solicitation and can be found on EDA's
Web site www.doc.gov/eda. Certain Departmental and other requirements
are noted below:
A. Projects are expected to be completed in a timely manner
consistent with the nature of the project. The completion date for each
project is specified in the RFP.
B. Two awards include a requirement that the successful
applicant(s) conduct briefings and/or training workshops for
individuals and organizations interested in the project results. The
completion dates set forth above are only for completion of the project
and submission of the written report. Briefings/workshops will take
place no later than one year after submission of the final report.
Locations and dates of the briefings/workshops are at EDA's sole
discretion. Usually these consist of at least one briefing in
Washington, DC, with the other briefings/workshops held in conjunction
with one or more of EDA's regional conferences.
C. Ordinarily, the applicant is expected to provide a 50 percent
non-Federal share of project costs. However, EDA may reduce or waive
the required 50 percent matching share of the total project costs,
provided the applicant demonstrates the project is not feasible without
a reduction or waiver and the project merits a reduction or waiver.
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D. Notwithstanding any other provision of law, no person is
required to respond to, nor shall a person be subject to a penalty for
failure to comply with a collection of information subject to the
requirements of the Paperwork Reduction Act (PRA) unless that
collection of information displays a currently valid Office of
Management and Budget (OMB) control number. This notice involves a
collection of information requirement subject to the provisions of the
PRA and has been approved by OMB under Control Number 0610-0094. The
EDA application (ED-900A), which incorporates the SF-424, are the forms
in the EDA application kit, approved under the aforementioned OMB
control number.
E. If an application is selected for funding, EDA has no obligation
to provide any additional future funding in connection with an award.
Renewal of an award to increase funding or extend the period of
performance is at the sole discretion of EDA.
F. EDA is committed to a policy of non-discrimination in the
administration of all its programs.
G. EDA will notify unsuccessful proposers in writing and
unsuccessful proposals will be maintained for not more than three years
from the date of receipt.
H. The rulemaking requirements of 5 U.S.C. 553 are not applicable
to this notice relating to public property, loans, grants, benefits or
contracts (5 U.S.C. 553(a)(2)). Because notice and comment are not
required under 5 U.S.C. 553, or any other law for this rule, the
analytical requirements of the Regulatory Flexibility Act (5 U.S.C.
601) are not applicable. Thus, a Regulatory Flexibility Analysis is not
required and has not been prepared for this rule.
I. It has been determined that this notice does not contain
policies with Federalism implications as that term is defined in
Executive Order 13132.
J. See EDA's Notice of Funding Availability for FY 2003 of April 9,
2003 (68 FR 17520), for additional information and requirements
(available on the Internet at http://www.doc.gov/eda, under the heading
``Notice of Funding Availability'').
Dated: May 20, 2003.
David A. Sampson,
Assistant Secretary for Economic Development.
[FR Doc. 03-13025 Filed 5-22-03; 8:45 am]
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