Opportunity Information: Apply for MBDA OBD 2016 2004577
The MBDA Business Centers (29) opportunity is a discretionary federal funding announcement from the U.S. Department of Commerce, Minority Business Development Agency (MBDA), seeking competitive applications to operate MBDA Business Centers in twenty-nine locations. These Centers are designed to deliver hands-on technical assistance and business development services that help minority business enterprises (MBEs) secure larger financing deals and win more and bigger contract opportunities. A core purpose of the program is to translate these business wins into real economic impact, especially job creation and job retention within minority-owned firms and the communities they support.
Funding is offered through a Cooperative Agreement (not a simple pass-through grant), which typically means the federal agency expects a more active partnership role in how the program is carried out and how performance is tracked. The opportunity is listed under CFDA 11.805, and the funding activity category is shown as Environment, Natural Resources, Science and Technology and other Research and Development, even though the work described is primarily business development and capacity building for MBEs. The announcement anticipates up to 29 awards, matching the 29 Center locations being competed, with an award ceiling of $337,875 per award.
A wide range of applicant types are eligible to apply, including for-profit entities (such as sole proprietorships, partnerships, LLCs, and corporations), non-profit organizations, state and local governments, Native American Tribes, and educational institutions. In practical terms, MBDA is looking for organizations that can serve as strong operators and conveners in their region: groups that already have deep connections to business ecosystems, capital providers, corporate and public procurement channels, and minority business communities, and that can build measurable pipelines from technical assistance to executed deals.
The experience profile MBDA expects from successful applicants is specific and transaction-oriented. Competitive operators should be able to demonstrate a track record of helping minority firms obtain large-scale contracts and procurements, as well as financing awards. They should also show they can help MBEs access established supply chains and navigate the requirements that come with them. Beyond single-contract wins, MBDA emphasizes higher-level growth strategies such as educating and assisting firms with joint ventures, teaming arrangements, mergers and acquisitions, and minority business advocacy. The announcement also highlights facilitating entry into global markets and supporting large-scale transactions, which signals an interest in Centers that can move firms from small, local opportunities toward larger regional, national, and international deal flow. Finally, MBDA notes that the mission of the operating organization should align closely with MBDA's mission and the Business Center program objectives, meaning applicants should be able to clearly connect their organizational purpose and capabilities to expanding access to capital and contracting for MBEs.
The timeline included a pre-application teleconference scheduled for October 15, 2015 (time to be announced at the time of posting), with a requirement that participants register at least 24 hours in advance and check the MBDA portal at www.mbda.gov for details. The original closing date for applications was December 3, 2015. The opportunity was created on October 5, 2015, and is identified by Funding Opportunity Number MBDA OBD 2016 2004577.Apply for MBDA OBD 2016 2004577
- The Department of Commerce in the environment, natural resources, science and technology and other research and development sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "MBDA Business Centers (29)" and is now available to receive applicants.
- Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 11.805.
- This funding opportunity was created on 2015-10-05.
- Applicants must submit their applications by 2015-12-03. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
- Each selected applicant is eligible to receive up to $337,875.00 in funding.
- The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 29 candidate(s).
- Eligible applicants include: Others.
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FAQs: MBDA Business Centers (29) Funding Opportunity
What is the MBDA Business Centers (29) opportunity?
This is a discretionary federal funding announcement from the U.S. Department of Commerce, Minority Business Development Agency (MBDA) seeking competitive applications to operate MBDA Business Centers in twenty-nine locations.
What is the primary purpose of MBDA Business Centers?
The Centers are intended to deliver hands-on technical assistance and business development services that help minority business enterprises (MBEs) secure larger financing deals and win more and bigger contract opportunities.
What outcomes is MBDA trying to achieve through these Centers?
A core purpose is to translate business wins into real economic impact, especially job creation and job retention within minority-owned firms and the communities they support.
How many awards are expected under this announcement?
The announcement anticipates up to 29 awards, corresponding to the 29 Business Center locations being competed.
What is the maximum funding amount per award?
The award ceiling is $337,875 per award.
What type of federal funding instrument is being used?
Funding is offered through a Cooperative Agreement rather than a simple pass-through grant.
What does it mean that the award is a Cooperative Agreement?
Based on the announcement description, a Cooperative Agreement typically indicates the federal agency expects a more active partnership role in how the program is carried out and how performance is tracked.
What CFDA number is associated with this opportunity?
The opportunity is listed under CFDA 11.805.
What funding activity category is shown for this opportunity?
The funding activity category is shown as Environment, Natural Resources, Science and Technology and other Research and Development, even though the work described focuses primarily on business development and capacity building for MBEs.
Who is the funding agency?
The funding agency is the U.S. Department of Commerce, Minority Business Development Agency (MBDA).
Who is eligible to apply?
A wide range of applicant types are eligible, including for-profit entities (such as sole proprietorships, partnerships, LLCs, and corporations), non-profit organizations, state and local governments, Native American Tribes, and educational institutions.
What kinds of organizations does MBDA appear to be looking for as Center operators?
MBDA is looking for organizations that can serve as strong operators and conveners in their region, with deep connections to business ecosystems, capital providers, corporate and public procurement channels, and minority business communities, and the ability to build measurable pipelines from technical assistance to executed deals.
What experience is emphasized for competitive applicants?
The announcement emphasizes a transaction-oriented track record, including experience helping minority firms obtain large-scale contracts and procurements, and securing financing awards.
Does the opportunity prioritize access to supply chains?
Yes. Competitive operators are expected to show they can help MBEs access established supply chains and navigate related requirements.
What advanced growth strategies are mentioned in the announcement?
MBDA emphasizes strategies such as educating and assisting firms with joint ventures, teaming arrangements, mergers and acquisitions, and minority business advocacy.
Does the program include support for global market opportunities?
Yes. The announcement highlights facilitating entry into global markets and supporting large-scale transactions, signaling interest in helping firms move toward larger regional, national, and international deal flow.
How important is alignment with MBDA's mission?
MBDA notes that the mission of the operating organization should align closely with MBDA's mission and the Business Center program objectives. Applicants are expected to clearly connect their organizational purpose and capabilities to expanding access to capital and contracting for MBEs.
Was there a pre-application event?
Yes. The timeline included a pre-application teleconference scheduled for October 15, 2015 (time to be announced at the time of posting).
Was registration required for the pre-application teleconference?
Yes. Participants were required to register at least 24 hours in advance.
Where were applicants instructed to check for teleconference details?
Applicants were instructed to check the MBDA portal at www.mbda.gov for details.
What was the application closing date?
The original closing date for applications was December 3, 2015.
When was this opportunity created?
The opportunity was created on October 5, 2015.
What is the Funding Opportunity Number?
The Funding Opportunity Number is MBDA OBD 2016 2004577.
Is this a competitive opportunity?
Yes. MBDA is seeking competitive applications to operate the Business Centers in the specified locations.
What is the general service model described for the Centers?
The model described is hands-on technical assistance paired with business development support, with the stated aim of converting assistance into executed financing and contracting deals that lead to measurable economic impact.
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