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| 20.910 ASSISTANCE TO SMALL AND DISADVANTAGED BUSINESSES |
| (OSDBU's Small Business Transportation Resource Centers) |
| FEDERAL AGENCY |
| OFFICE OF THE SECRETARY, DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION |
| AUTHORIZATION |
| The Department of Transportation (DOT), Office of Small and Disadvantaged Business Utilization (OSDBU) was established in accordance with Public Law 95-507, an amendment to the Small Business Act and the Small Business Investment Act of 1958. OSDBU is responsible for the implementation and execution of the USDOT activities on behalf of small businesses in accordance with Sections 8, 15 and 31 of the Small Business Act (SBA), as amended. The OSDBU also administers the provisions of Title 49 of the United States code, Section 332, the Minority Resource Center (MRC) which includes the duties of advocacy, outreach and financial services on behalf of small and disadvantaged businesses and those certified under CFR 49 Parts 23 and or 26 as Disadvantaged Business Enterprises (DBE). |
| OBJECTIVES |
| To enter into successful partnerships between OSDBU and chambers of commerce, community-based organizations, colleges and universities, community colleges, or trade associations, to establish regional Small Business Transportation Resource Centers (SBTRCs) to provide business assessment, technical assistance, technical assistance referrals, business training, and the dissemination of information regarding DOT and DOT funded contracting opportunities, as well as OSDBU services to the Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) and Small Business (SB) community in their regions. |
| TYPES OF ASSISTANCE |
| Assistance is provided through OSDBU's SBTRCs that have been established with organizations that are listed in "Objectives", designed to prepare small businesses to participate in DOT contracts and subcontracts. The SBTRCs are responsible for an assessment of small businesses in their regional areas to determine the training and technical need of the companies. In addition, they provide information on general management, technical assistance and training; conduct business counseling; perform outreach services through event and conference participation; and provide information to small businesses regarding DOT's Short Term Lending Program (STLP). |
| USES AND USE RESTRICTIONS |
| The Regional SBTRCs work with OSDBU's Financial Assistance Division and STLP participating lenders to organize seminars and workshops on this accounts receivable financial access program that is available to eligible DBEs and small businesses. The seminars and workshops cover the entire STLP process, from completion of STLP loan application and preparation of the loan package to approval and loan management. |
| Applicant Eligibility |
| Established 501 C(6) tax-exempt Chambers of Commerce, Trade Associations and 501 C(3) nonprofit organization, community colleges, minority educational institutions, tribal colleges and universities that have the documented experience and capacity necessary to successfully operate and administer a coordinated, Small Business Transportation Resource Center (SBTRC) within their regions. |
| Beneficiary Eligibility |
| For the purpose of this program, the term small businesses refers to: 8 (a), small disadvantaged business (SDB), disadvantaged business enterprises (DBE), women-owned small business (WOB), HubZone, service- disabled veteran-owned business, and veteran owned small business. |
| Credentials/Documentation |
| Must be an established 501 C(3) or 501 C(6) tax exempt organization and provide documentation as verification. No application will be accepted without proof of tax exempt status. Have at least one year of documented and continuous experience prior to the date of application in providing advocacy, outreach, and technical assistance to small businesses within the region in which proposed services will be provided. Have an office physically located within the proposed city in the designated headquarters state in the region for which applicant is submitting the proposal, that is readily accessible to the public. |
| Preapplication Coordination |
| Consultation and assistance is available from the Office of Small and Disadvantaged Business Utilization (OSDBU). This program is excluded from coverage under E.O. 12372. |
| Application Procedure |
| Applicants must be registered by using the grants.gov Web site, http://www.grants.gov/. Applications must be submitted electronically to OSDBU through the grants.gov website. |
| Award Procedure |
| Applications will be reviewed by a selection panel and selection will be made based upon the evaluation criteria included in the announcement. The Department of Transportation, Office of Small and Disadvantaged Business Utilization will award the Cooperative Agreements. The Director, OSDBU, notifies successful applicants in writing. |
| Deadlines |
| No new awards are contemplated for FY 08 and FY 09. |
| Range of Approval/Disapproval Time |
| Notification of awards will be made by April 16, 2007. |
| Appeals |
| Not applicable. |
| Renewals |
| Optional. |
| Formula and Matching Requirements |
| Selected SBTRC partners will be expected to provide a designated SBTRC space, administrative support, and all other general and administrative expenses. Submitted proposals must contain an alternative funding source with which the SBTRC will fund the general and administrative costs. Proposals containing alternative funding sources in excess of general and administrative costs to directly fund additional services to the small business transportation community will receive favorable consideration. |
| Length and Time Phasing of Assistance |
| Awards are generally made for a minimum of 12 months. Extensions over a longer period are possible, contingent upon the needs of the OSDBU. This is a cost reimbursable agreement subsequent to expenses incurred, and disbursements are made on a monthly basis, subject to activities successfully performed and approved by OSDBU. |
| Reports |
| Implementation Plan and Monthly Reports; Implementation Plans are due within 7 days of the effective date of the Cooperative Agreement. Monthly Reports are due on the 5th day of each subsequent month. |
| Audits |
| DOT's Inspector General and the Comptroller General of the United States may at all reasonable times investigate and conduct audits in the offices of the recipient, all documents, papers, books and records, relevant to the execution and implementation of the conditions of this agreement. |
| Records |
| Recipient is required to retain all documents, files, books, and records relevant to the execution and implementation of the conditions of this agreement for a period of not less than 3 years, except, if any litigation, dispute, exception, or audit is commenced, the records and other materials shall be retained until the litigation, dispute, exception, or audit is judicially or administratively made final. |
| Account Identification |
| 69-0119-0-1-407. |
| Obligations |
| (Cooperative Agreements)FY 07 $0; FY 08 $1,352,547,000; FY 09 $1,352,547,000. |
| Range and Average of Financial Assistance |
| Average, $150,000. |
| PROGRAM ACCOMPLISHMENTS |
| Program activities have resulted in accomplishments in the following areas: No. hours Counseling small businesses - 2,110.80 hours; No. Marketing Events attended - 198; No. Businesses Served - 1,410; No. STLP Workshops held - 8. |
| REGULATIONS, GUIDELINES, AND LITERATURE |
| DOT Code of Federal Regulations Parts 26 and 23 as Disadvantaged Business Enterprises; Public Law 95-507; Section 8,15, and 31 of the Small Business Act as amended; OMB Circular A-110. |
| Regional or Local Office |
| Not applicable. |
| Headquarters Office |
| Director, Office of Small and Disadvantaged Business Utilization, S-40, Office of the Secretary, 1200 New Jersey Avenue, S.E., Washington, DC 20590. Telephone (202) 366-1930; toll-free (800) 532-1169; Fax: (202) 366-7228. |
| Web Site Address |
| http://www.osdbu.dot.gov |
| RELATED PROGRAMS |
| None. |
| EXAMPLES OF FUNDED PROJECTS |
| Not applicable. |
| CRITERIA FOR SELECTING PROPOSALS |
| Proposals are rated on a numerical point scale using the following factors: Approach and Strategy; Linkages; Organizational Capability; Staff Capabilities and Experience; and Cost. |
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General Services Administration Office of Chief Acquisition Officer Regulatory and Federal Assistance Division (VIR) |
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