Opportunity Information: Apply for OIT STEP 2015 01
Apply for OIT STEP 2015 01
- The Small Business Administration in the business and commerce sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "State Trade and Export Promotion 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 Apr 7, 2015 and posted on Apr 8, 2015.
- Applicants must submit their applications by May 20, 2015 The closing date is May 20, 2015 at 1159pm EST.. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
- The funding agency has allocated a total of $17,400,000.00 to eligible and selected applicants.
- Each selected applicant is eligible to receive up to $750,000.00 in funding.
- The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 30 candidate(s).
- Eligible applicants include: State governments.
- See Synopsis
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Opportunity Summary:
The State Trade and Export Promotion (STEP) Program is a U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) funding opportunity designed to help states strengthen export assistance for small businesses. The core goal is practical and measurable: increase the number of small business concerns that begin exporting and increase the overall dollar value of exports generated by small businesses. To do that, the program invites eligible state entities to propose plans for delivering hands-on assistance, guidance, and export promotion support that can help small firms enter new international markets, expand into additional countries, and grow sales overseas.
This opportunity (Funding Opportunity Number OIT STEP 2015 01) is offered as a discretionary award using a cooperative agreement, which generally means the SBA expects to remain actively involved during the project period rather than simply issuing a grant and stepping back. The funding activity category is Business and Commerce, reflecting its focus on real-world trade outcomes and export growth rather than research or purely academic work. It was posted on April 8, 2015 (created April 7, 2015) with an application deadline of May 20, 2015 at 11:59 pm Eastern Time, and it later moved into archive status on June 19, 2015.
Funding under this announcement was substantial, with an estimated total of $17.4 million available and an expectation of about 30 awards. Individual awards ranged from a floor of $100,000 to a ceiling of $750,000, indicating it could support both smaller, targeted state efforts and larger statewide export promotion initiatives. The program is listed under CFDA 59.061, identified as the State Trade and Export Promotion Pilot Grant Program, which helps applicants and stakeholders track the program in federal assistance systems and compliance documentation.
Eligibility was limited to state governments (with the announcement referencing additional details in the synopsis), so private companies and nonprofits would not apply directly as prime applicants under this specific solicitation. A cost sharing or matching requirement applied, meaning award recipients were expected to contribute non-federal resources alongside SBA funds. In practice, this kind of requirement typically pushes applicants to demonstrate commitment, leverage existing state trade infrastructure, and stretch federal dollars by pairing them with state or partner support.
In short, STEP funding through this announcement was meant to help state-level entities build or expand export assistance programs that translate into more small business exporters and higher export revenues. Questions or access issues related to the full announcement were directed to Gene Stewman, Director of the State Trade and Export Promotion Program at the SBA Office of International Trade (202-205-6193, eugene.stewman@sba.gov).
State Trade and Export Promotion (STEP) Program (OIT STEP 2015 01) - FAQs
What is the STEP Program in this funding opportunity?
The State Trade and Export Promotion (STEP) Program is a U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) funding opportunity designed to help states strengthen export assistance for small businesses. The focus is on practical export support that helps small firms enter new international markets, expand into additional countries, and grow overseas sales.
What are the main goals of STEP under this announcement?
The core goals are measurable trade outcomes: (1) increase the number of small business concerns that begin exporting, and (2) increase the overall dollar value of exports generated by small businesses.
Who is the federal sponsor for this opportunity?
The sponsor is the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA), specifically referenced through the SBA Office of International Trade in the contact information provided.
What is the Funding Opportunity Number for this STEP announcement?
The Funding Opportunity Number is OIT STEP 2015 01.
What type of award is this (grant, contract, cooperative agreement)?
This opportunity is offered as a discretionary award using a cooperative agreement.
What does it mean that this award is a cooperative agreement?
A cooperative agreement generally indicates the SBA expects to remain actively involved during the project period, rather than providing funding and remaining hands-off.
What is the funding activity category for this opportunity?
The funding activity category is Business and Commerce, emphasizing real-world export growth and trade outcomes.
When was this opportunity posted and when was it created?
It was posted on April 8, 2015, and created on April 7, 2015.
What was the application deadline?
The application deadline was May 20, 2015 at 11:59 pm Eastern Time.
Is this opportunity still open?
No. The listing later moved into archive status on June 19, 2015.
How much total funding was estimated to be available?
The estimated total funding available under this announcement was $17.4 million.
How many awards were expected?
About 30 awards were expected.
What was the minimum and maximum award size?
Individual awards ranged from $100,000 (floor) to $750,000 (ceiling).
What is the CFDA number for this program?
The program is listed under CFDA 59.061, identified as the State Trade and Export Promotion Pilot Grant Program.
Who was eligible to apply as the prime applicant under this solicitation?
Eligibility was limited to state governments (with the announcement referencing additional details in the synopsis).
Can private companies apply directly for this funding?
No. Based on the eligibility description provided, private companies would not apply directly as prime applicants under this specific solicitation.
Can nonprofits apply directly for this funding?
No. Based on the eligibility description provided, nonprofits would not apply directly as prime applicants under this specific solicitation.
Was cost sharing or matching required?
Yes. A cost sharing or matching requirement applied, meaning recipients were expected to contribute non-federal resources alongside SBA funds.
What does the matching requirement imply for applicants?
It implies applicants needed to show commitment and leverage non-federal support to pair with SBA funds, helping stretch federal dollars and support the proposed export assistance efforts.
What kinds of activities were states expected to propose?
Eligible state entities were invited to propose plans for delivering hands-on assistance, guidance, and export promotion support to help small businesses begin exporting, enter new markets, expand into additional countries, and grow international sales.
What outcomes was the program trying to produce for small businesses?
The program was intended to translate into more small business exporters and higher export revenues (increased overall dollar value of exports generated by small businesses).
Who should be contacted for questions or access issues related to the full announcement?
Gene Stewman, Director of the State Trade and Export Promotion Program at the SBA Office of International Trade.
What contact details were provided for the program contact?
Phone: 202-205-6193. Email: eugene.stewman@sba.gov.
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