ANNOUNCEMENT OF FEDERAL FUNDING OPPORTUNITY

Funding Opportunity Description:
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 primary drivers of  a MBDA MBE Equity Multiplier Project are (i) capacity building and venture capital readiness, (ii) increasing access to equity and venture investment and investors, (iii) technical business services; and (iv) job creation. (see additional details on page 3 of NOFO). 
A total of approximately $300,000 will be available for the financial assistance award under this Broad Agency Announcement (BAA) utilizing FY 2021 funds (see page 7 of NOFO).
MBDA will issue an award for a 2-year term from September 1, 2021 through August 31, 2023. Receipt of any prospective funding also is contingent upon the availability of funds from Congress, satisfactory performance, and continued relevance to program objectives and will be at the sole discretion of the Department of Commerce.
 
MBDA anticipates making one (1) award under this announcement, with the funding amount of $300,000 in FY 2021 funds. Projects must be located in the U.S. or any U.S. territory, including Guam, Puerto Rico, and the Virgin Islands, and must provide services that benefit minority business enterprises in any U.S. state or territory. (see page 4 of NOFO).
Agency Requirements for the AMP Center:
Alignment to MBDA Mission – Each proposed project should align, compliment, and support MBDA’s mission to promote the growth and global competitiveness of America’s MBE community.
 
Service Location - MBDA seeks to fund projects located in the defined locations; however, a Project may serve any U.S. minority business enterprises located in any U.S. state or territory.
 
Services – Funded projects must align with the MBDA program objectives and
priorities (I.A. and I.B. above). The projects must provide technical business services
(technical assistance) as described in the “Program Priorities” section to MBE clients that
support capacity building.
 
Performance – Funded projects shall be monitored on a regular basis to track progress. The defined measures and goals are aligned to key outputs, outcomes, and impact under this program.
 
MBE Service Recipients - Organizations that are owned or controlled by the following persons or groups of persons are the organizations that are considered MBEs for the purpose of this NOFO: African-American, Hispanic-American, American Asian and Pacific Islander, Native American (including Alaska Natives, Alaska Native Corporations and Tribal entities), Asian Indian American, and Hasidic Jewish American. See 15 C.F.R. §§ 1400.1, 1400.2 and Executive Order 11625 (1969).
 
Submission Requirements:
Eligible applicants include: For-profit entities (including but not limited to sole-proprietorships, 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.
 
All proposals must be received on or before 11:59 p.m. EDT on June 30, 2021.
For more information and to register for a pre-application teleconference visit: 
Link to announcement:   https://www.mbda.gov/grants
Pre-Application Conference Call
MBDA will conduct a pre-application teleconference on June 4, 2021 from 2:00 – 3:00 p.m. EDT Participants must register at least 24 hours in advance of the teleconference. Please visit the MBDA Internet Portal at www.mbda.gov to register and additional information.
Link to register: 
For Participants:
URL: https://www.mymeetings.com/nc/join/
 
Conference number: PWXW2205630
Dial-in number:  1-888-233-9482
Audience passcode: 6230658
 
Participants can join the event directly at:
https://www.mymeetings.com/nc/join.php?i=PWXW2205630&p=6230658&t=c
 
Applicants should visit MBDA at www.mbda.gov/grants for more information.
For more information, please contact staff from the Office of Legislative, Education & Intergovernmental Affairs: Shayla Moon smoon@mbda.gov, Emily Kessel ekessel@mbda.gov, David Martinez dmartinez1@mbda.gov  and Carolee Wenderoth cwenderoth@mbda.gov