In calendar year 2005, MBDA funded Native American Business Enterprise Centers in eight locations throughout the United States to provide management and technical assistance to minority and Native American Business Enterprise Center clients. A total of 742 clients were assisted and obtained $315,375,112 in combined financings and contracts. In 2006 and 2007, we estimate that the NABECs will assist 1229 clients and obtain $117,776,442 in combined financings and contracts.

Uses and Use Restrictions

The Minority Business Development Agency (MBDA) competitively selects and will fund in Fiscal Year 2007 approximately eight Native American Business Enterprise Centers (NABDC's) to deploy standardized business assistance services to the Native American business public directly, develop a network of strategic partnerships and provide strategic business consulting within the geographic services area.

Recipients of MBDA's NABEC financial assistance awards provide clients with advice and counseling in such areas as business assessment and strategic business consulting, access to capital and access to markets.

These services may include preparing financial packages, business counseling, business information and management, accounting guidance, marketing, business/industrial site analysis, production, engineering, construction assistance, procurement and identification of potential business opportunities.

MBDA does not have the authority nor does it make loans to Native American firms.

Program funds are restricted to providing management and technical assistance.

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Eligibility Requirements

Applicant Eligibility

There are no eligibility restrictions for this program.

Applicants eligible to operate a NABEC may include individuals, nonprofit organizations, for-profit firms, local and State governments, Native American Tribes, and educational institutions.

Beneficiary Eligibility

Native Americans and minorities will benefit. Award recipients must provide assistance to Native Americans and minorities interested in starting, expanding, or maintaining a business. Assistance emphasis is on Native Americans.

Credentials/Documentation

Costs will be determined in accordance with OMB Circular No. A-87 for awards to States, local governments and Federally Recognized Indian Tribal Governments. OMB Circular No. A-21 for educational institutions; OMB Circular No. A-122 will be used for other recipients. Administrative requirements for States, local governments and Federally Recognized Indian Tribal Governments are contained in 15 CFR, Part 24. All other recipients are subject to the administrative requirements contained in 15 CFR Part 14.

Aplication and Award Process

Preapplication Coordination

Preapplication and post award conferences may be scheduled for NABEC projects.

The conferences will be announced in the Federal Register.

This program is excluded from coverage under E.O.

12372.

Application Procedures

The standard application forms as furnished by the Federal agency and required by 15 CFR Part 24 must be used for this program. This program is subject to the provisions of 15 CFR Part 14.

Award Procedures

The Federal Register and Grants.Gov will advise the applicant where to submit the application. Each application will be reviewed and evaluated by MBDA. Name checks, verification of academic credentials and pre-award audits may be required from applicants.

Deadlines

Deadlines for formal competitive awards are outlined in the Federal Register, Grants.Gov and as detailed in the Federal Funding Opportunity Announcement.

Authorization

Executive Order 11625, October 13, 1971; Department of Commerce and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, Public Law 105-277.

Range of Approval/Disapproval Time

From 4 to 6 months. Unsuccessful applicants shall be notified in writing within 10 days of notification to the successful applicant.

Appeals

All decisions are final. There is no administrative appeal process.

Renewals

NABEC awards are typically made for a period of 3 years with funding provided on an annual basis at the discretion of MBDA and the Department of Commerce. Performance evaluations will be conducted, and funding levels will be established for each of three budget periods. The NABEC recipient will receive continued funding after the initial competitive year at the discretion of MBDA based upon the availability of funds, the NABDC's performance, and agency priorities. The current cycle (2004 - 2006) of projects will terminate on December 31, 2006. The next formal competition is tentatively scheduled for the Summer of 2006 with new awards beginning in January 2007.

Assistance Considerations

Formula and Matching Requirements

This program has no statutory formula. The Native American Program currently does not require any matching or cost-sharing by the recipient.

Length and Time Phasing of Assistance

Awards may be granted for 1 to 3 years.

Post Assistance Requirements

Reports

Financial (quarterly and annually); program narrative reports (semi-annual and annual); statistical reports on each client are required.

Audits

In accordance with the provisions of OMB Circular No. A-133 (Revised, June 27, 2003), Audits of States, Local Governments, and Nonprofit Organizations, non federal 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 OMB Circular No. A-133.

Records

Documents, papers and financial records relating to the NABEC are required to remain available to the Federal Government for 3 years from the date of submission of the final financial status report. All financial and programmatic records, supporting documents, statistical reports, and other records of grantees or subgrantees are required to be maintained by the terms of the agreement. The grantee must retain records for 3 years after completion of the project or submission of the final financial report, whichever is later, and be readily available for inspection and audit.

Financial Information

Account Identification

13-0201-0-1-376.

Obigations

(Cooperative Agreements) FY 07 $1,591,500; FY 08 est not available; and FY 09 est not reported.

Range and Average of Financial Assistance

$155,500 to $287,500.

Regulations, Guidelines, and Literature

There are no applicable regulations in the Code of Federal Regulations.

Information Contacts

Regional or Local Office

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, DC 20230. Telephone: (202) 482-1940. Use the same number for FTS.

Criteria for Selecting Proposals

Competitive awards for the NABDC are made based upon a panel evaluation of the applications submitted. This evaluation includes such factors as capability and experience of staff assigned to the project, techniques, methodology, resources and costs. MBDA publishes notices in the Federal Register, Grants.Gov website and the MBDA website when seeking applications for this program. Competitive applications are normally sought very three years, upon the availability of funds and depending on the Agency's priorities.