Opportunity Information: Apply for OIT STEP 2014 01

  • The Small Business Administration in the business and commerce sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "STEP GRANT PROGRAM FY2014" 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 21, 2014 and posted on Apr 21, 2014.
  • Applicants must submit their applications by May 20, 2014 The closing date is May 20, 2014 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 $8,000,000.00 to eligible and selected applicants.
  • Each selected applicant is eligible to receive up to $500,000.00 in funding.
  • The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 25 candidate(s).
  • Eligible applicants include: State governments.
  • See Synopsis.
Apply for OIT STEP 2014 01

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Opportunity Summary:

The STEP Grant Program FY2014 (State Trade and Export Promotion Pilot Grant Program) is a competitive federal funding opportunity from the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA), Office of International Trade, designed to help states and U.S. territories run export promotion efforts that directly support eligible small business concerns. The central purpose is to strengthen small business participation in international trade by helping companies that are not yet exporting become exporters, and by helping existing small business exporters increase the value of their exports. In practice, the program is meant to fund state-led initiatives that expand small business export readiness, market entry, and growth in foreign markets, using state-level export assistance programs as the delivery mechanism.

Eligible applicants are limited to state governments and certain U.S. jurisdictions: the States, the District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, Guam, American Samoa, and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands. Each eligible jurisdiction is allowed to submit only one application under this announcement, which effectively requires each state or territory to coordinate internally and put forward a single consolidated proposal rather than multiple competing submissions from agencies within the same government.

Awards are made through a cooperative agreement rather than a standard grant, which generally signals that SBA expects to have substantial involvement during the project (for example, oversight, coordination, or participation in programmatic decisions) compared to a typical grant where the recipient operates more independently. The project period is set at 12 months from the date of award, with the possibility of one additional 12-month option period, allowing successful projects to potentially continue for up to two years total if the option period is exercised.

The opportunity is listed as discretionary funding in the Business and Commerce activity category and carries a cost sharing or matching requirement, meaning applicants must plan to contribute non-federal resources toward the project budget. While the synopsis does not specify match percentages in the excerpt provided, applicants would need to account for this requirement in their proposed budgets and demonstrate the ability to meet it.

For FY2014, SBA estimated total program funding at $8,000,000, with an expected 25 awards. Individual award sizes range from a floor of $75,000 to a ceiling of $500,000, reflecting flexibility for smaller and larger state or territory proposals while still placing a cap on the maximum federal amount any one recipient can receive.

Administrative details from the announcement include the funding opportunity number OIT STEP 2014 01, CFDA number 59.061, and a posted date of April 21, 2014. The application deadline was May 20, 2014 at 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time, and the opportunity was archived on June 19, 2014. Applicants needing the full announcement or having trouble accessing it electronically were directed to contact Gene Stewman, Director of the State Trade and Export Promotion Grant Program at SBA's Office of International Trade (telephone 202-205-6193; email eugene.stewman@sba.gov). The announcement also provided an additional information link hosted on SBA's website for supporting documentation and full program details.

STEP Grant Program FY2014 (State Trade and Export Promotion Pilot Grant Program) FAQs

What is the STEP Grant Program FY2014?

The STEP Grant Program FY2014 (State Trade and Export Promotion Pilot Grant Program) is a competitive federal funding opportunity from the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA), Office of International Trade. It is designed to help states and U.S. territories run export promotion efforts that directly support eligible small business concerns.

What is the main purpose of this funding opportunity?

The central purpose is to strengthen small business participation in international trade by helping companies that are not yet exporting become exporters, and by helping existing small business exporters increase the value of their exports.

What kinds of activities is the program intended to support?

In practice, the program is meant to fund state-led initiatives that expand small business export readiness, market entry, and growth in foreign markets, using state-level export assistance programs as the delivery mechanism.

Who is eligible to apply?

Eligible applicants are limited to state governments and certain U.S. jurisdictions: the States, the District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, Guam, American Samoa, and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands.

Can multiple agencies within the same state or territory apply separately?

No. Each eligible jurisdiction is allowed to submit only one application under this announcement, which requires each state or territory to coordinate internally and submit a single consolidated proposal.

Is this a grant or something else?

Awards are made through a cooperative agreement rather than a standard grant. This generally indicates SBA expects to have substantial involvement during the project compared to a typical grant where the recipient operates more independently.

What does "substantial involvement" by SBA typically mean in this context?

Based on the description provided, SBA involvement may include oversight, coordination, or participation in programmatic decisions during the project period.

How long is the project period?

The project period is 12 months from the date of award.

Can the project be extended beyond 12 months?

Yes. There is a possibility of one additional 12-month option period. If the option period is exercised, projects could potentially continue for up to two years total.

Is cost sharing or matching required?

Yes. The opportunity includes a cost sharing or matching requirement, meaning applicants must contribute non-federal resources toward the project budget.

Is the match percentage specified in the provided synopsis?

No. The excerpt provided does not specify match percentages, but applicants would need to account for the requirement in their proposed budgets and demonstrate the ability to meet it.

How much total funding was SBA expecting to award under this opportunity?

For FY2014, SBA estimated total program funding at $8,000,000.

How many awards were expected?

SBA expected to make approximately 25 awards.

What is the minimum and maximum individual award amount?

Individual award sizes range from $75,000 (minimum) to $500,000 (maximum).

What category is this funding opportunity listed under?

The opportunity is listed as discretionary funding in the Business and Commerce activity category.

What is the funding opportunity number?

The funding opportunity number is OIT STEP 2014 01.

What is the CFDA number for this program?

The CFDA number is 59.061.

When was the opportunity posted?

The posted date was April 21, 2014.

What was the application deadline?

The application deadline was May 20, 2014 at 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time.

Is this opportunity still open?

No. The opportunity was archived on June 19, 2014.

Who can be contacted for the full announcement or access issues?

Applicants needing the full announcement or having trouble accessing it electronically were directed to contact Gene Stewman, Director of the State Trade and Export Promotion Grant Program at SBA's Office of International Trade.

What are the contact details provided in the announcement?

Telephone: 202-205-6193
Email: eugene.stewman@sba.gov

Was there a link provided for additional information?

Yes. The announcement referenced an additional information link hosted on SBA's website for supporting documentation and full program details.

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