Opportunity Information: Apply for OIT STEP 2012 01
Apply for OIT STEP 2012 01
- The Small Business Administration in the business and commerce sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "State Trade and Export Promotion Grant Program" and is now available to receive applicants.
- Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 59.061 State Trade and Export Promotion Pilot Grant Program.
- This funding opportunity was created on May 25, 2012 and posted on Mar 27, 2012.
- Applicants must submit their applications by May 31, 2012 The closing date is May 31, 2012 at 1159 pm Eastern Time.. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
- The funding agency has allocated a total of $30,000,000.00 to eligible and selected applicants.
- Each selected applicant is eligible to receive up to $2,540,924.00 in funding.
- The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 56 candidate(s).
- Eligible applicants include: Others (see text field entitled Additional Information on Eligibility for clarification).
- See Synopsis
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Opportunity Summary:
The State Trade and Export Promotion (STEP) Grant Program (Funding Opportunity No. OIT STEP 2012 01) is a Small Business Administration (SBA) discretionary funding opportunity designed to help U.S. states and eligible territories run export promotion efforts that support small businesses. The core purpose is to strengthen small business participation in international trade by helping eligible small business concerns become new exporters and by helping existing exporters increase the dollar value of their exports. In practical terms, the program is aimed at building or expanding state-level export assistance activities that move small firms from “not exporting yet†to “exporting,†and from “exporting a little†to “exporting more,†using structured, locally delivered programs.
This opportunity is offered as a cooperative agreement, which typically means the federal agency expects to have substantial involvement in the funded project compared with a standard grant. Awards are made competitively, so states and territories must submit a strong application demonstrating a clear plan, measurable outcomes, and the capacity to carry out export promotion services effectively within the project period. The SBA anticipated making up to 56 awards under this announcement, aligning with the number of eligible state and territorial applicants.
Eligibility is limited to “States†as defined in the announcement: the 50 states, the District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, Guam, and American Samoa. A key restriction is that each state or territory may submit no more than one application under this funding round, which encourages a single coordinated statewide proposal rather than multiple competing submissions from within the same jurisdiction. While the listing uses a general eligibility label (“Othersâ€), the synopsis clarifies that the eligible applicants are these state and territorial governments (or their designated entities, depending on the announcement’s specific instructions).
Funding for this round was substantial, with an estimated total program funding amount of $30,000,000. Individual award sizes varied widely, with an award floor of $42,686 and an award ceiling of $2,540,924, indicating that allocations likely depend on factors such as state size, proposal scope, export program design, or other criteria established by SBA. The program also requires cost sharing or matching, meaning applicants must commit non-federal resources to support the project. That requirement is important for planning because it affects budgeting, partner commitments, and how the state documents its ability to meet match obligations.
The performance period for each award is 12 months from the date of award, so funded activities are expected to be implemented and produce results within a one-year project window. At the same time, the announcement notes that states may apply each federal fiscal year as long as Congress continues to appropriate funds, and that the STEP program term referenced here spans three years. That structure supports ongoing annual competitions rather than a single multi-year award, allowing states to refine and reapply based on results and available appropriations.
From an administrative standpoint, the opportunity was posted on March 27, 2012, created on May 25, 2012, and later archived on June 16, 2012. The original application deadline was May 17, 2012 at 11:59 pm Eastern Time, and the closing date was extended to May 31, 2012 at 11:59 pm Eastern Time. The CFDA number associated with this program is 59.061 (State Trade and Export Promotion Pilot Grant Program), and the funding activity category is Business and Commerce, reflecting the program’s economic development and trade focus.
For applicants or interested parties who had trouble accessing the full announcement online, the SBA provided a point of contact: David De Leva, Grants Management Officer, at (202) 205-7051 and david.deleva@sba.gov. The announcement also referenced an additional information link hosted on the SBA website for full details, including specific eligibility clarifications, required application components, evaluation criteria, and compliance expectations tied to the cooperative agreement.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs): State Trade and Export Promotion (STEP) Grant Program (OIT STEP 2012 01)
What is this funding opportunity?
The State Trade and Export Promotion (STEP) Grant Program (Funding Opportunity No. OIT STEP 2012 01) is a Small Business Administration (SBA) discretionary funding opportunity that supports U.S. states and eligible territories in running export promotion efforts that benefit small businesses.
What is the main purpose of the STEP program?
The core purpose is to strengthen small business participation in international trade by helping eligible small business concerns become new exporters and by helping existing exporters increase the dollar value of their exports.
What kinds of results is the program trying to achieve for small businesses?
The program is designed to move small firms from "not exporting yet" to "exporting," and from "exporting a little" to "exporting more," through structured, locally delivered export assistance programs.
Who can apply for this opportunity?
Eligibility is limited to "States" as defined in the announcement: the 50 states, the District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, Guam, and American Samoa.
Can more than one organization within a state or territory apply?
No. Each state or territory may submit no more than one application under this funding round, which encourages a single coordinated statewide proposal rather than multiple competing submissions from within the same jurisdiction.
Is this a grant or something else?
This opportunity is offered as a cooperative agreement. That generally means the federal agency expects to have substantial involvement in the funded project compared with a standard grant.
Is the STEP program competitively awarded?
Yes. Awards are made competitively, so applicants must submit a strong application that demonstrates a clear plan, measurable outcomes, and the capacity to deliver export promotion services effectively within the project period.
How many awards did SBA anticipate making under this announcement?
SBA anticipated making up to 56 awards, aligning with the number of eligible state and territorial applicants.
How much total funding was estimated for this round?
The estimated total program funding amount for this round was $30,000,000.
What is the minimum and maximum award amount?
The award floor was $42,686 and the award ceiling was $2,540,924. Award sizes varied widely, suggesting allocations could depend on factors such as state size, proposal scope, export program design, or other SBA criteria described in the full announcement.
Is cost sharing or matching required?
Yes. The program requires cost sharing or matching, meaning the applicant must commit non-federal resources to support the project. This affects budgeting, partner commitments, and how the applicant documents its ability to meet match obligations.
What is the performance period for an award?
The performance period is 12 months from the date of award, so funded activities are expected to be implemented and produce results within a one-year project window.
Is this a one-time program or can states apply again?
The announcement notes that states may apply each federal fiscal year as long as Congress continues to appropriate funds. It also references a three-year STEP program term, which supports ongoing annual competitions rather than a single multi-year award.
When was the opportunity posted and when did it close?
The opportunity was posted on March 27, 2012. The original application deadline was May 17, 2012 at 11:59 pm Eastern Time, and the closing date was extended to May 31, 2012 at 11:59 pm Eastern Time. The listing was later archived on June 16, 2012.
What is the CFDA number for this program?
The CFDA number associated with this program is 59.061 (State Trade and Export Promotion Pilot Grant Program).
What is the funding activity category?
The funding activity category is Business and Commerce, reflecting the program's economic development and trade focus.
Who is the SBA point of contact for questions or access issues?
The announcement provided the following contact for applicants or interested parties who had trouble accessing the full announcement online: David De Leva, Grants Management Officer, (202) 205-7051, david.deleva@sba.gov.
Where could applicants find more detailed requirements and evaluation criteria?
The announcement referenced an additional information link hosted on the SBA website for full details, including specific eligibility clarifications, required application components, evaluation criteria, and compliance expectations tied to the cooperative agreement.
What does the "Others" eligibility label mean in the listing?
While the listing uses a general eligibility label ("Others"), the synopsis clarifies that eligible applicants are state and territorial governments as defined in the announcement (or their designated entities, depending on the announcement's specific instructions).
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