This notice requests applications for programs aligned with the Minority Business Development Agency’s (MBDA) strategic plans and mission goals to service minority business enterprises (MBE’s). This notice also provides the public with information and guidelines on how MBDA will select proposals and administer discretionary Federal assistance under this Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO).
The Minority Business Development Agency (MBDA), a bureau of the U.S. Department of Commerce, will provide Federal assistance to support innovative projects seeking to promote and ensure the growth of minority enterprises. The MBDA Advanced Manufacturing Project (AMP) program provides technical assistance and business development and manufacturing assistance services to minority business enterprises (MBEs). In accordance with Executive Order 11625 and 15 U.S.C. § 1512, MBDA is soliciting competitive applications from eligible organizations for the operation of Advanced Manufacturing Projects as described in this NOFO. MBDA anticipates awarding four (4) individual cooperative agreement pursuant to this NOFO for a specialty project located within any of the 50 United States, Puerto Rico, Guam, or U.S. Virgin Islands.
The AMP awards will be used to identify, screen, promote, and refer minority business enterprises (MBEs) to specialized advanced manufacturing programs (e.g., the NIST Manufacturing Extension Program (MEP)), and to provide technical and business development services. The technical assistance and business development services will generate increased financing and contract opportunities for MBEs and will assist MBEs in creating and retaining jobs. The AMP awardees also will assess regulatory changes pertaining to manufacturing in domestic and global markets, economic impact, and need for minority manufacturers. AMP awardees will educate federal, state, local government, and private sector entities on ways to expand resources and to use minority manufacturers.
The primary drivers of the AMP are: (i) capacity building, and (ii) job creation/retention resulting from facilitating contracts/financing for medium-sized minority businesses in the manufacturing industry. AMP services include, but are not limited to: the vetting of MBE manufacturers; referral of clients to advanced manufacturing resources; development of a pool of contract and finance opportunities; direct matching of opportunities with qualified/vetted advanced manufacturing MBEs; relationship management and deal sourcing initiatives (such as but not limited to industry clusters); facilitating MBE growth through exports (identifying global markets and financing); identifying, matching, and securing alternative sources of capital and financing; educating MBEs on the benefits of strategic growth alternatives (e.g., mergers, acquisitions and/or joint ventures); MBE advocacy; and providing service referrals to MBEs of all sizes. The AMP awardees will assess regulatory changes pertaining to manufacturing in domestic and global markets, economic impact, and need for minority manufacturers.
Deadline: April 8, 2021
Eligible applicants include: For-profit entities (including but not limited to soleproprietorships, partnerships, limited liability companies, and corporations), non-profit organizations, institutions of higher education, commercial organizations, state and local government entities, Tribal governmental entities, and quasi-government entities.
MBDA expects to expend approximately $1,600,000 in fiscal year (FY) 2021 funds for the financial assistance awards under this Announcement. MBDA anticipates making four (4) awards under this announcement. The funding amount for each award in FY 2021 will be $400,000. MBDA anticipates that up to $6,400,000 will be available in FY 2022 through FY 2026 to support continuation funding for this program. The funding amounts referenced in this NOFO are subject to the availability of appropriated funds. Publication of this NOFO does not obligate the U.S. Department of Commerce or MBDA to award any specific cooperative agreement or to obligate all or any part of available funds.