Opportunity Information: Apply for MBDA OBD 2016 2004601
Apply for MBDA OBD 2016 2004601
- The DOC in the business and commerce, community development, environment, natural resources, regional development, science and technology and other research and development sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Exporting Project" and is now available to receive applicants.
- Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 11.802.
- This funding opportunity was created on May 23, 2016 and posted on May 23, 2016.
- Applicants must submit their applications by Jul 05, 2016. (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 $5,000,000.00 in funding.
- The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 4 candidate(s).
- Eligible applicants include: Others (see text field entitled Additional Information on Eligibility for clarification).
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Opportunity Summary:
The Exporting Project is a federal grant opportunity from the U.S. Department of Commerce (DOC), administered through the Minority Business Development Agency (MBDA). It is being offered as a discretionary funding opportunity using a cooperative agreement, meaning selected recipients should expect an active partnership with the federal government during implementation rather than a completely hands-off grant relationship. The project sits under the broader MBDA Business Center program and is designed to strengthen the ability of minority business enterprises (MBEs) to enter international markets or expand existing export activity.
At its core, the program is focused on practical export growth for MBEs. Funded operators are expected to identify and screen minority-owned firms with export potential, promote them, and connect them to exporting resources. The intent is not only to make referrals, but to help businesses actually move forward with exporting by providing technical assistance and business development services. These services are aimed at producing measurable outcomes such as increased financing for participating firms, more contract opportunities, and improved access to new domestic and global markets. A related goal is job creation and job retention, positioning export expansion as a pathway for business growth that also supports employment in the communities these firms serve.
MBDA anticipated making four total awards under this announcement. The stated award ceiling is $5,000,000, signaling that the program is structured for relatively large, high-impact efforts that can deliver substantial exporting assistance and market-expansion results. While the eligibility category is listed broadly as "Others (see text field entitled Additional Information on Eligibility for clarification)," the competition is essentially for organizations capable of operating these project awards and delivering the required export-focused services to MBEs. Applicants would typically need the capacity, partnerships, and expertise to provide hands-on support in areas like export readiness, market entry strategy, connections to trade and export financing resources, and deal or contract development that leads to real transactions.
Key administrative details include the funding opportunity number MBDA OBD 2016 2004601 and CFDA number 11.802. The opportunity was created and posted on May 23, 2016, with an application deadline (original and current closing date) of July 5, 2016. MBDA also scheduled a pre-application teleconference for June 6, 2016, with the specific time to be announced later. Interested participants were required to register at least 24 hours in advance, with updates and instructions provided through the MBDA website at www.mbda.gov.
Exporting Project (MBDA) Grant Opportunity FAQs
What is the Exporting Project grant opportunity?
The Exporting Project is a federal grant opportunity from the U.S. Department of Commerce (DOC), administered through the Minority Business Development Agency (MBDA). It sits under the broader MBDA Business Center program and focuses on strengthening the ability of minority business enterprises (MBEs) to enter international markets or expand existing export activity.
Who is offering and administering this opportunity?
The opportunity is offered by the U.S. Department of Commerce (DOC) and administered through MBDA (Minority Business Development Agency).
What type of funding instrument is this?
This is a discretionary funding opportunity using a cooperative agreement.
What does it mean that this is a cooperative agreement?
A cooperative agreement means selected recipients should expect an active partnership with the federal government during implementation. In other words, the federal government is expected to be involved during the project rather than maintaining a completely hands-off grant relationship.
What is the main purpose of the program?
The main purpose is practical export growth for minority business enterprises (MBEs). The program is designed to help MBEs enter international markets or expand their existing exporting activity through hands-on support and export-focused business development services.
What kinds of services are funded operators expected to provide?
Funded operators are expected to identify and screen minority-owned firms with export potential, promote them, and connect them to exporting resources. Beyond referrals, operators are expected to help businesses move forward with exporting by providing technical assistance and business development services aimed at real progress and measurable outcomes.
Is the program only about making referrals to export resources?
No. The stated intent is not only to make referrals, but to help businesses actually move forward with exporting through technical assistance and business development support.
What outcomes is the project expected to produce?
The program is aimed at producing measurable outcomes such as increased financing for participating firms, more contract opportunities, and improved access to new domestic and global markets.
How does the project relate to jobs?
A related goal is job creation and job retention. The opportunity positions export expansion as a pathway for business growth that also supports employment in the communities served by these firms.
How many awards did MBDA anticipate making?
MBDA anticipated making four total awards under this announcement.
What is the maximum award amount?
The stated award ceiling is $5,000,000.
What does the $5,000,000 award ceiling suggest about the scale of the program?
The award ceiling indicates the program is structured for relatively large, high-impact efforts capable of delivering substantial exporting assistance and market-expansion results for MBEs.
Who is eligible to apply?
The eligibility category is listed broadly as "Others (see text field entitled Additional Information on Eligibility for clarification)." Based on the description, the competition is essentially for organizations capable of operating project awards and delivering the required export-focused services to MBEs.
What types of organizational capabilities does the announcement suggest applicants should have?
Applicants would typically need the capacity, partnerships, and expertise to provide hands-on support in areas like export readiness, market entry strategy, connections to trade and export financing resources, and deal or contract development that leads to real transactions.
What is the funding opportunity number?
The funding opportunity number is MBDA OBD 2016 2004601.
What is the CFDA number for this opportunity?
The CFDA number is 11.802.
When was the opportunity created and posted?
The opportunity was created and posted on May 23, 2016.
What was the application deadline?
The application deadline (original and current closing date) was July 5, 2016.
Was there a pre-application teleconference?
Yes. MBDA scheduled a pre-application teleconference for June 6, 2016.
Was the time for the pre-application teleconference provided?
The specific time was to be announced later, according to the announcement.
How could interested participants register for the pre-application teleconference?
Interested participants were required to register at least 24 hours in advance. Updates and instructions were provided through the MBDA website at www.mbda.gov.
Where were updates and instructions for this opportunity posted?
Updates and instructions were provided through the MBDA website at www.mbda.gov.
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