The primary objective of MBDA Business Centers is to provide strategic business consulting services to minority firms that will result in increased public and private sector contracting opportunities and capital investments, ultimately leading to the creation of new U.S. jobs.
MBDA intends to award three individual cooperative agreements to manage and run the Business Centers starting September 1, 2011. The grant award covers a five-year period, and selected candidates will initially be funded for the first award year with subsequent funding periods subject to MBDA Business Center performance and funding availability. Awards will range from $225,000 to $355,000 annually.
Each MBDA Business Center is strategically located in areas with substantial minority populations and minority-owned firms. However, MBDA Business Centers are not limited by geographic region and may serve minority businesses in all fifty states and Puerto Rico.
Eligible applicants include for-profit entities (sole-proprietorships, partnerships, limited liability companies and corporations), non-profit organizations, state and local government entities, American Indian Tribes and educational institutions.
Applicants must review and adhere to the program details and instructions for submitting an application identified in the Announcement of Federal Funding Opportunity (FFO), which can be accessed at www.Grants.gov or www.mbda.gov.
Applications must be submitted electronically by the deadline of May 5, 2011.
