National Technical Assistance, Research and EvaluationRequest for Proposals

SUMMARY: A total of $328,500,000 is available to EDA for all of its

programs for FY 1996 (See Notice of Funding Availability for FY 1996 at

61 FR 29526), of which approximately $2,125,000 (including funds to be

transferred to EDA from the Department of Defense's Office of Economic

Adjustment, DOD/OEA,) is or will be available for National Technical

Assistance and for Research and Evaluation for specific projects which

will aid in better understanding the causes of and solutions to

economic distress/underemployment and unemployment throughout the

Nation in the specific priority areas described herein. Additional

funding may or may not be available. EDA issues this Notice describing

the conditions under which eligible applications for these National

Technical Assistance under 13 CFR Part 307, Subpart C, and Research and

Evaluation under 13 CFR Part 307, Subpart D, projects will be accepted

and selected for funding. EDA is soliciting proposals for the specific

projects described herein which will be funded if acceptable proposals

are received. Remaining funding, if any, may be used to fund additional

projects.

DATES: Prospective applicants are advised that EDA will conduct a pre-

proposal conference on June 27, 1996, at 2:00 p.m., in the Department

of Commerce, Herbert C. Hoover Building, 14th & Constitution Avenue,

N.W., Washington, D.C. 20230, Room 7419, at which time questions on the

National Technical Assistance and Research and Evaluation projects can

be answered. Please provide written questions (See Addresses section

below) by June 24, 1996. Background information packets relevant to

each of the projects will be made available.

Initial proposals for funding under this program will be accepted

through July 22, 1996. Initial proposals received after that time will

not be considered for funding.

By July 22, 1996, EDA will advise successful proponents to submit

full applications, (containing complete proposals as part of the

application) OMB Control Number 0610-0094. Completed applications must

be submitted to EDA by August 15, 1996. EDA will make these awards no

later than September 30, 1996.

ADDRESSES: Send initial proposals and full applications, as applicable,

to either: Lewis R. Podolske, Acting Director, Technical Assistance

Program, Economic Development Administration, Room 7315, U.S.

Department of Commerce, Washington, D.C. 200230 (National Technical

Assistance); or John J. McNamee, Acting Director, Research and

Evaluation Program, Economic Development Administration, Room 7315,

U.S. Department of Commerce, Washington, D.C. 20230 (Research and

Evaluation).

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Lewis R. Podolske, (202) 482-2127 (National Technical Assistance); or

John J. McNamee, (202) 482-4085 (Research and Evaluation).

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. Introduction

A. Authority

The Public Works and Economic Development Act of 1965, (Pub. L. 89-

136, 42 U.S.C. 3121-3246h), as amended (PWEDA) at Sec. 3151 authorizes

EDA as follows: to provide technical assistance which would be useful

in reducing or preventing excessive unemployment or underemployment by

conducting, among other things, studies evaluating the needs of, and

the development of potential for economic growth in distressed areas

(42 U.S.C. 3151(a)); and a program of research to assist in the

formulation and implementation of national, state and local programs to

raise income levels and other solutions to the problems of

unemployment, underemployment, underdevelopment and chronic depression

in distressed areas and regions (42 U.S.C. 3151(c)(B)). The Omnibus

Appropriations Act of 1996, Public Law 104-134, makes funds available

for these programs.

B. Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance

11.303 Economic Development-Technical Assistance; 11.312 Economic

Development--Research and Evaluation Program.

C. Program Descriptions

For descriptions of these programs see EDA's final rule at 13 CFR

chapter III, 61 FR 7979, March 1, 1996, as corrected at 61 FR 15371,

April 8, 1996, and its interim-final rule at 60 FR 49670, September 26,

1995.

D. Additional Information and Requirements

No award of Federal funds will be made to an applicant who has an

outstanding delinquent Federal debt until either: 1. The delinquent

account is paid in full; 2. A negotiated repayment schedule is

established and at least one payment is received; or 3. Other

arrangements satisfactory to DoC are made.

Unsatisfactory performance under prior Federal awards may result in

an application not being considered for funding.

Applicants seeking an early start, i.e., to begin a project before

EDA approval, must obtain a letter from EDA allowing such early start.

Such approval may be given with the understanding that an early start

does not constitute project approval. Applicants should be aware that

if they incur any costs prior to an award being made they do so solely

at their own risk of not being reimbursed by the Government.

Notwithstanding any verbal or written assurance that may have been

received, there is no obligation on the part of EDA to cover pre-award

costs.

The total dollar amount of the indirect costs proposed in an

application under any EDA program must not exceed either the indirect

cost rate negotiated and approved by a cognizant Federal agency prior

to the proposed effective date of the award, or 100 percent of the

total proposed direct costs dollar amount in the application, which

ever is less.

If an application is selected for funding, EDA has no obligation to

provided any additional future funding in connection with an award.

Renewal of an award to increase funding or extend the period of

performance is at the sole discretion of EDA.

Unless otherwise noted below, eligibility, program objectives and

descriptions, application procedures, selection procedures, evaluation

criteria and other requirements for all programs are set forth in EDA's

final rule at 13 CFR Chapter III, 61 FR 7979, March 1, 1996, as

corrected at 61 FR 15371, April 8, 1996, and its interim-final rule at

60 FR 49670, September 26, 1995.

II. Areas of Special Emphasis

EDA seeks proposals for the specific projects described as follows:

A. National Technical Assistance Program

State Technology Planning.

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EDA invites technical assistance proposals pertaining to innovative

and useful science and technology planning programs by states to assist

distressed communities.

Background: EDA awards planning grants under section 302(a) of

PWEDA, (42 U.S.C. 3151a(a)) to strengthen the economic development

planning capability of states, cities and substate entities to ensure a

more productive use of resources in reducing the effect of economic

problems, particularly those resulting in high unemployment and low

incomes. EDA has awarded approximately 15 state grants since 1990 that

relate to state technology planning as a tool for economic development.

The scopes of work of these grants, the project files and final reports

are available at the six EDA regional offices. Other Federal programs

also provide assistance to states to prepare statewide technology

plans. Among these programs are the U.S. Department of Commerce (DoC)

National Institute of Standards and Technology's State Technology

Extension Program (STEP), and the National Science Foundation's

Experimental Program to Stimulate Competitive Research (EPSCoR). In

addition, other technology plans have been developed by national

organizations, by states, or as regional or local efforts.

Scope of Work: Under this grant award the recipient is expected to

canvas the universe of planning efforts undertaken by states to use

science and technology to assist distressed communities to enhance

their economic development capabilities. As part of the project, the

recipient must review EDA and other Federal and state efforts to

promote the establishment of science and technology plans that support

regional, state, or substate economic development. The task will

include the review of project files, final reports, and plans, and

interviews with staff by means of site visits and telephone

conversations.

Science and technology plans compiled during the canvass may

encompass coordination of data bases, education plans related to

technology, manufacturing extension services, telecommunications

improvement and coordination, electronic commerce, business development

using cyberspace, or other objectives. The recipient of this award is

expected to compare and evaluate these science and technology plans for

their impact on distressed areas, the best practices employed in

targeting distressed areas, their innovative approach, their successful

implementation, their economic development impact, and their

replicability in other states.

The resulting data must be appropriately analyzed and the results,

with recommendations as appropriate, presented in a final report to be

available for use by all states and other interested parties.

The applicant will also be required to conduct briefings and

training workshops for organizations interested in using the approaches

compiled and examined under this project. These briefings and training

workshops will be conducted in Washington, D.C., and the six EDA

regional offices and will total no more than one such briefing/workshop

for each of the seven locations.

Cost: If properly justified, the Assistant Secretary may consider a

waiver of the required 25 percent local share of the total project

cost.

Timing: The project should be completed and the final report

submitted by March 31, 1997.

Impact of Incubator Investments.

EDA invites technical assistance proposals to develop criteria to

evaluate the impact of the incubator on the community.

Background: In North America there are about 540 business

incubation programs serving more than 8,000 in-house clients and

affiliates. Over 5,000 companies have ``graduated'' from these

incubation programs. Fifty-three percent of the incubators are

considered urban, 28 percent rural, and 19 percent suburban. The basic

types of incubators are: mixed use 47 percent, technology 20 percent,

light manufacturing 13 percent, service 9 percent and micro enterprise/

empowerment 11 percent.

Local, state and Federal Government agencies, economic development

agencies, colleges and universities, for-profit firms, nonprofit

organizations such as neighborhood revitalization organizations, as

well as combinations of all these groups have provided financial

assistance to construct and operate business incubation programs. Each

sponsor may have its own goals for participation in the incubation

programs. These goals may include diversification of the economy,

development or expansion of small business sector of the local economy,

increased employment and income in general and sometimes in specific

neighborhoods, increased property usage and values, business retention,

maintenance of population in particular areas, transfer of technology

from universities and research laboratories, and development of a

targeted technology infrastructure.

Many incubation programs fail to keep records of incubator outcomes

related to firm growth, employment, revenues, achievements of goals,

and other community benefits. This may be due to failure to develop

evaluation criteria, or the lack of resources to measure performance

and determine outcomes. This project may require the development of

performance measures and outcomes in such instances to be used by

economic development organizations.

Most performance outcome information that will be developed or

gathered will provide only a ``score'' of how well the characteristic

being measured is doing. Outcome indicators, in general, will not tell

the extent to which the program has actually caused the observed

outcomes. Only a substantive in-depth program evaluation can determine

the extent to which program activity caused the measured results--the

impact of the program on the local economy.

An incubator's impact on a local community and economy comes from

its ability to create a dynamic environment for the creation of new

enterprises, and hence, new work. These goals are rarely realized over

the time-span a firm is in an incubator, but extend into the long-term

because of the nature of the business development cycle. Therefore, the

goal of an external evaluation should be to determine progress toward

long-term developmental goals. Proposals sought hereby will determine

the appropriate evaluation methodology for the impact of various kinds

of incubation programs on their local economies.

Scope of Work: The successful applicant will: (1) develop

performance measures for different types of incubator programs if not

already available; (2) test the measures against a representative

sample of 50 to 100 diverse incubator programs; (3) determine and

analyze in depth the impact of the incubator investments on the local

economy; (4) prepare a final report on the methodology developed and

the analysis performed, as well as the long-term policy implications of

different kinds of incubation programs; and (5) conduct briefings and

training workshops in Washington, D.C., and EDA's six Regional Offices

on the methodology developed, the analysis performed and the policy

implications and will total no more than one such briefing/workshop for

each of the seven locations.

Cost: If properly justified, the Assistant Secretary may consider a

waiver of the required 25 percent local share of the total project

cost.

[[Page 31784]]

Timing: The project should be completed and the final report

submitted by June 30, 1997.

B. Research and Evaluation Program

Performance Measure Testing and Impact of Public

Infrastructure Investments.

EDA invites a research and evaluation proposal pertaining to

performance measurement testing and the impact of public infrastructure

investments. The primary purpose of this project is to develop a

methodology that local, state and other Federal agencies can adapt and

replicate to analyze the impacts that result from their public

infrastructure and other investments. The test subjects for this

project will be EDA grant projects. There are dual components. Each

component has its own scope of work and deadline, although the two

components are inherently related. The two components are:

(I) Performance Measure Testing--to gather and analyze data to test

newly-developed program core performance measures; and (II) Impact of

Public Infrastructure Investment--to develop and test a methodology for

determining the impacts (economic benefits) resulting from public

infrastructure investments on local economies. While the ultimate

objective is a workable methodology, an essential prerequisite is the

determination of the effectiveness of performance measures.

I. Performance Measure Testing--Background: EDA has recently

established a core set of performance measures for each of its grant

program areas. These measures can be tested by reviewing two groups of

projects that have been approved in previous years to determine the

extent to which these specific performance measures are valid or need

refining. The project will involve a review of project files,

interviews with EDA staff and grantees, site visits, surveys (written

or phone), etc. The resulting data must be appropriately analyzed and

the results presented in a separate final report for each group of

projects.

A. The Performance Measures. The following core measures are to be

tested under this project:

Performance and outcomes at project completion--

Construction Projects.

1. Construction schedule met as to start and finish dates.

2. Private sector dollars invested in the EDA Project (proposed, at

time of approval).

3. Private sector dollars invested in the EDA project (actual, at

time of completion).

4. Other dollars (Federal, state and local) invested in the EDA

Project.

5. Other dollars invested (nonfederal, local and private) directly

related to, but not part of the EDA Project.

6. Local capacity improved Diversification of local economy.

7. Local capacity improved: Intended beneficiary(ies) actually

established in the community.

Performance and outcomes at project completion--Capacity-

Building Projects.

1. For Research/Evaluation and Technical Assistance projects:

Project start and finish dates met.

2. For Planning projects: Annual update of Overall Economic

Development Program (OEDP) completed.

3. For all capacity-building projects, grantee comment: with 1 to

10 (10=best) numerical response for following questions:

a. Quality of local OEDP/Adjustment Assistance (Title IX) Strategy.

b. Extent of participation by government, business and community

leaders, i.e., building of community partnerships.

c. Extent projects implemented are based on OEDP/Title IX Strategy.

d. Quality of evaluation or feasibility study.

e. Impact of feasibility study on project planning.

Performance and outcomes at project completion--Revolving

Loan Fund (RLF) Projects.

1. Implementation schedule for disbursement of RLF dollars met.

2. Jobs created and retained (actual) through RLF loans.

3. Number of businesses assisted by the RLF.

4. Non-EDA dollars invested.

a. Private sector dollars invested.

b. Other dollars invested.

5. RLF capital base (grant+local share+net income generated--write-

offs).

Project outcomes at 2 and 4 years after completion--

Construction Projects.

1. Jobs created and retained, as estimated on application.

2. Jobs created and retained--actual.

3. Private sector dollars invested in the EDA project--actual.

4. Other dollars (Federal, state and local) invested in the EDA

project--actual.

5. Other dollars invested (nonfederal, local and private) directly

related to, but not part of the EDA project.

6. Other dollars invested indirectly related to the EDA project.

7. Increase in local tax base (percentage) (actual or based on

recognized multiplier).

Project outcomes at 2 and 4 years after completion--Capacity-

Building Projects.

For all capacity-building projects, grantee comment: with 1 to 10

(10-best) numerical response for following questions:

1. Quality of local OEDP/Title IX Strategy.

2. Extent of participation by government, business and community

leaders, i.e., building of community partnerships.

3. Extent projects implemented are based on OEDP/Title IX Strategy.

4. Quality of evaluation or feasibility study.

5. Impact of feasibility study on project planning.

Project outcomes at 2 and 4 years after completion--RLF

Projects.

1. Jobs created and retained (actual) through RLF loans.

2. Number of businesses assisted by the RLF.

3. Private sector dollars invested.

4. Other dollars invested.

5. RLF capital base (grants+local share+net income generated--

write-offs).

B. The Projects. The core measures are to be tested on the

following two groups of projects:

1. Fiscal Year (FY) completed Public Works projects.

Under its Public Works program, EDA makes infrastructure grants to

help distressed communities generate long-term, private sector jobs and

diversity their economies. Among the types of projects funded are water

and sewer facilities, access roads to industrial sites, and business

incubator buildings. The universe of projects for the analysis sought

is approximately 175 EDA public works grants for which final

construction activities and project closeout were completed between

October 1, 1989, and September 30, 1990. The individual projects are

located throughout the U.S. The project files are retained in the six

EDA regional offices.

2. Defense Adjustment Assistance Projects.

Under this program EDA makes grants to help communities design and

implement strategies for adjustment to changes in their economic

situation that cause or threaten to cause serious structural damage to

their economic base due to defense downsizing or base closures. Grants

under this program include infrastructure improvements similar to those

in 1 above, strategically-targeted business development and financial

assistance, assistance for developing adjustment strategies (planning),

or technical assistance.

[[Page 31785]]

This group of projects includes grants approved in FY 1993 through

FY 1995 as follows:

FY 1993 36 projects for $48 million

FY 1994 81 projects for $162 million

FY 1995 73 projects for $135 million

Many of these grants are currently active, that is, the grant-

funded project is not yet completed. The projects are located

throughout the U.S. The project files are retained in the six EDA

regional offices.

Scope of Work: The successful applicant will determine, on both a

project-by-project basis and in the aggregate, the extent to which the

two groups of projects met the core performance measurement standards

that EDA has established, how effective the standards measure the

program's performance, and what adjustments to the core measures may be

necessary based on this analysis.

In separate final reports on the public works and defense

adjustment assistance project components, the applicant must fully

document how the tests were conducted and provide the basis for any

changes recommended.

The applicant will also be required to conduct briefings and

training workshops for organizations interested in learning about the

results of the performance measurement project. These workshops will be

conducted in Washington, and in EDA's six regional offices and will

total no more than one such briefing/workshop for each of the seven

locations.

Cost: No local share match is required for this project. Half of

the funding for the testing of performance measures on the defense

program will be provided by the Office of Economic Adjustment of the

Department of Defense.

Timing: This component of the project should be completed and the

final reports submitted by February 28, 1997.

II. Impact of Public Infrastructure Investments--Backgrounds: The

Federal Government and states administer several grant programs that

provide financial assistance to communities for constructing or

expanding public infrastructure facilities, although only EDA projects

and performance measures are being analyzed in this project. These

grant programs may strive toward various social goals, such as ensuring

the availability of safe drinking water by replacing water lines,

expanding communications links by building or maintaining public

highways, or, in the case of the EDA public works program, reducing

economic distress by fostering the creation of new employment

opportunities. Some of these programs have begun to measure their own

performances. EDA has developed and will apply a core set of

performance measures to its programs on a prospective basis beginning

October 1, 1996. These measures are expected to produce quantifiable

outcomes of EDA's programs.

The component of this two-part project described in the previous

section will test EDA's core performance measures to gain knowledge for

the economic development community of how performance measures can be

applied, tested, analyzed and adjusted. Most outcomes measured by the

core performance measures, however, will provide only a ``score'' of

how well the particular characteristics being measured are doing. The

outcome indicators will not generally tell the extent to which the

program has actually caused the observed outcomes. Only a substantive

in-depth program evaluation can reasonably uncover the link between

performance indicators and program activities. There is, moreover, no

widely accepted methodology for determining the economic and social

benefits--the economic impacts on the local community--that actually

result from public works infrastructure investments.

Previous evaluations of EDA's public works program have suggested

that criteria such as project utilization, job creation/retention

efficiency, job quality, shift-share analysis, attribution (whether

EDA's contribution was necessary for the implementation of the

project), related private sector investments, increases in the tax

revenues, and other outcomes could be used to measure the economic

impact of public works projects on the local economy. The second

component of this project will develop an appropriate methodology for

evaluating the economic impacts of EDA's infrastructure investments.

Much of the economic impacts from public infrastructure investments

are believed to occur a considerable time after the completion of

project construction. To maximize the probability that these impacts

will have been realized, EDA proposes that approximately 175 EDA public

works grants, for which final construction activities and project

closeout were completed between October 1, 1989 and September 30, 1990,

serve as the universe for this economic impact analysis. This is the

same group of projects referred to in I.B.1. above.

In the development of the methodology, EDA suggests that the

analysis of impacts be targeted and focused to realistic boundaries

within which economic impacts on a local economy can reasonable be

attributed to the EDA infrastructure investment. In many instances, the

area of measurable and reasonably attributable impacts may be smaller

than traditional areas of socioeconomic measurement such as city or

county or state boundaries. Boundaries targeted for this analysis may

have to be focused down to the level of census tracts. In the process

of conducting the analysis, developing the methodology and subsequently

testing it upon the specified universe of infrastructure projects,

therefore, EDA expects the recipient to limit to the greater extent

possible any broad-scale comparison of local impacts to unreasonably

large and/or national boundaries.

Communities that received grants under the public works program are

dispersed across the Nation. The project files for these grants are

located in EDA's six regional offices.

Scope of Work: The successful applicant will develop a methodology

for determining and measuring the economic impacts of specific public

infrastructure investments. The methodology will be tested on the

previously-mentioned 175 EDA public works grants completed in FY 1990.

EDA expects the methodology to reflect the core measures that will be

applied to EDA's programs, as well as other relevant measures suggested

by the analysis of the public works projects.

The final report must fully document the methodology used for the

project as well as revisions suggested by testing the methodology on

the 175 public works projects. Actual impacts identified for each of

the 175 public works projects must also be documented in the final

report.

The applicant will also be required to conduct briefings and

training workshops for organizations interested in using the

methodology developed under this project. These briefings and training

workshops will be conducted in Washington, D.C., and the six EDA

regional offices and will total no more than one such briefing/workshop

for each of the seven locations.

Cost: No local match is required for this project.

Timing: This second component of the project should be completed

and the final report submitted by June 30, 1997.

Performance Measurement Bibliography.

EDA invites research proposals to develop an annotated bibliography

of current literature on economic development performance measurement

and economic impact studies.

[[Page 31786]]

Background: With the current emphasis on improved program

performance measured by results, service quality, and customer

satisfaction, economic development funders at the Federal, state and

local level are faced with the challenge of developing measures and

methods for determining how well their programs perform. EDA has

recently established a program performance and evaluation system to

measure the output and outcomes of its program funding. This system

builds on existing efforts at measuring the performance of economic

development programs at the Federal and state levels.

The bibliography should chronicle the universal principles and

standards for measuring the outcomes and impacts of economic

development investments, with reference to current and recent

benchmarking, performance measurement and economic impact studies.

Scope of Work: The successful applicant will (1) survey current and

recent literature on economic development performance measurement and

impact studies; (2) organize the literature in appropriate groupings;

(3) in a final report, provide brief comments on the content of each

article or book; (4) assemble a prototype public library containing

copy of each article or book included in the annotated bibliography,

including a computer disk version, where available, for inclusion in a

future on-line public library; and (5) conduct a briefing on the

findings in the Washington, D.C., office of EDA.

Cost: No local match is required for this project.

Timing: This project should be completed and the final report

submitted by December 31, 1996.

EDA/DOD-OEA/Federal Government Role in Cluster-Based

Economic Development.

EDA invites research and evaluation proposals to determine the role

EDA, the Department of Defense's Office of Economic Adjustment (DOD/

OEA) or other Federal agencies might play in promoting cluster

development as an economic development tool, particularly as it relates

to defense conversion.

Background: Industry or business clusters are important economic

development tools to the extent that they facilitate regional

competitive advantages in the development and production of high-value,

large-market goods or services. Some proponents suggest that a

successful cluster development requires the presence of three specific

elements: (1) Collaborative and competitive networks that form the

supporting infrastructure for technology-based businesses; (2) a

strong, basic manufacturing base characterized by multiple competing

firms rather than several large, vertically integrated firms; and (3) a

strong commitment among business and government leaders to reinforcing

the region's viability as a regional hub for high value manufacturing.

EDA has promoted cluster development as an economic development

tool in communities whose economies have been adversely affected by

defense expenditures reductions. In the case of flat panel display

development in Florida and efficient pollution-free vehicle development

in California, EDA provided funding to assist already-established,

cluster-oriented organizations construct or equip test facilities for

products produced by the members of the organizations. California

organizations, including, but not limited to the Goldstrike Partnership

and Regional Technology Alliance, Bay Area Economic Forum, Joint

Venture Silicon Valley, and the High Technology Council of Los Angeles,

received EDA funding for the development of a collaborative process

involving the members of certain industries and stakeholders. EDA also

awarded DRI/McGraw-Hill a grant to define and identify the industry

clusters that drive the U.S. economy; explore the emerging practices of

states and regions in fostering cluster development; and convene the

first national conference on cluster-driven regional economic

development.

Scope of Work: The successful applicant will (1) analyze the role

of cluster development in economic development in general and in

defense adjustment, in particular; (2) document the degree to which the

three elements thought to be necessary for cluster development were

present in the EDA-supported cluster development projects and whether

the EDA assistance facilitated or followed the development of those

elements; (3) determine if all three elements must be present for the

formation of a successful technology-based business or industry

cluster; (4) determine if, how, and at what cost Federal support can

influence the development of those elements; (5) estimate the time-

frame required for the development of those elements; (6) suggest the

appropriate role, if any, the Federal Government should play in

promoting cluster development. The applicant will be required to submit

a final report documenting its findings from this project and to

conduct briefings and training workshops for entities interested in the

results of this project. These briefings and training workshops will be

conducted in Washington, D.C., and the six EDA regional offices and

will total no more than one such briefing/workshop for each of the

seven locations.

In undertaking this analysis, the applicant will review the cluster

projects that EDA has funded to identify the various stages of

organization and project development of the cluster process in

different communities. This will require examining EDA grant files and

contacting various people who were involved in developing the cluster-

oriented organizations and projects. Files for these projects are

located in EDA's Seattle, Atlanta and Austin regional offices.

Costs: No local match is required for this project. Half of the

funding for this project will be provided by the Office of Economic

Adjustment (OEA) of the Department of Defense.

Timing: The project should be completed and final report submitted

by June 20, 1997.

Leveraging Capital for Defense Adjustment Infrastructure

Assistance.

EDA invites research proposals to examine the potential for new and

innovative techniques for leveraging significant capital for increased

defense adjustment infrastructure assistance, including construction

related to military base reuse.

Background: The capital required for most defense adjustment

infrastructure (re)development exceeds the ability of many communities

to raise. Public funding for defense adjustment appropriation is modest

compared with the current need for infrastructure assistance. This

project would evaluate and recommend, if appropriate, alternative

approaches to financing defense adjustment infrastructure projects,

such as partially securing large bond issues, or providing for the

first several years of payment on large bond issues until new tenants,

etc., can pick up the costs. It would also evaluate what role other

Federal financing mechanisms might play. The limitations and

feasibility of such alternatives are not known, but could possibly

serve to greatly extend the impact of limited defense program public

works funds.

Scope of Work: The successful applicant will (1) bring together a

panel of public and private sector financial experts to explore the

full range of realistic, innovative financing alternatives, and (2)

prepare a comprehensive report and conduct briefings and training for

interested parties, which document the alternatives and

recommendations.

[[Page 31787]]

These briefings and training workshops will be conducted in Washington,

D.C., and the six EDA regional offices and will total no more than one

such briefing/workshop for each of the seven locations.

Cost: No local match is required for this project. Half of the

funding for this report will be provided by DOD/OEA.

Timing: This project should be completed and the final report

submitted by January 31, 1997.

III. How To Apply

A. Eligible Applicants

National Technical Assistance--See 13 CFR 307.12 in EDA's

final rule at 13 CFR chapter III, 61 FR 7979, March 1, 1996, as

corrected in 61 FR 15371, April 8, 1996, and its interim-final rule at

60 FR 49670, September 26, 1995. Eligible applicants are as follows:

public or private nonprofit organizations including nonprofit national,

state, area, district, or local organizations; accredited educational

institutions or nonprofit entities representing them; public sector

organizations; and Native American organizations, including American

Indian tribes; local governments and state agencies. Technical

Assistance grant funds may not be awarded to private individuals or

for-profit organizations.

Research and Evaluation--See 13 CFR 307.17 in EDA's final

rule at 13 CFR chapter III, 61 FR 7979, March 1, 1996, as corrected in

61 FR 15371, April 8, 1996, and its interim-final rule at 60 FR 49670,

September 26, 1995. Eligible applicants are as follows: private

individuals, partnerships, corporations, associations, colleges and

universities, and other suitable organizations with expertise relevant

to economic development research.

B. Proposal Submission Procedures

The initial proposals submitted by potential applicants may not

exceed ten pages in length and should be accompanied by a proposed

budget, resumes/qualifications of the key staff, and proposed time

line.

IV. Selection Process and Evaluation Criteria

Proposals will receive initial reviews by EDA to assure that they

meet all requirements of this announcement, including eligibility and

relevance to the specified projects as described herein. The Office of

Economic Adjustment of the Department of Defense will participate in

evaluating proposals submitted for the Cluster Development and

Leveraging Capital for Defense Adjustment Infrastructure Assistance

projects described above. If a proposal is selected, EDA will provide

proponent with an Application Form, and EDA will carry out its

selection process and evaluation criteria as described at 13 CFR part

304 and Secs. 307.13, 307.14, 307.18, and 307.19 in EDA's final rule at

13 CFR chapter III, 61 FR 7979, March 1, 1996, as corrected in 61 FR

15371, April 8, 1996, and its interim-final rule at 60 FR 49670,

September 26, 1995.

From the full proposals and application, EDA will select the

applicants it deems most qualified and cost effective. EDA anticipates

that more full proposals and applications will be invited than will

eventually be funded.

All project records are located in or are accessible through the

six EDA regional offices. Unless otherwise specified in other sections

of this RFP, EDA staff support will be limited to providing access to

the records.

Paperwork Reduction Act

OMB has approved these information collection requirements under

the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 under OMB Control Number 0610-AA47.

Dated: June 13, 1996.

Phillip A. Singerman,

Assistant Secretary for Economic Development.

[FR Doc. 96-15531 Filed 6-17-96; 10:12 am]

BILLING CODE 3510-24-M