Opportunity Information: Apply for MBDA OBD 2016 2004579
The MBDA Business Centers (5) grant opportunity (Funding Opportunity Number: MBDA OBD 2016 2004579) is a competitive, discretionary federal funding announcement from the U.S. Department of Commerce to select operators for five Minority Business Development Agency (MBDA) Business Centers. These centers are meant to function as local hubs that deliver hands-on technical assistance and business development services to minority business enterprises (MBEs). The core purpose is to help MBEs secure more and larger financing deals and contract opportunities, and to translate those wins into tangible economic outcomes such as job creation and job retention within minority-owned firms.
Awards under this program are issued as cooperative agreements, which typically means the federal agency expects to be more actively involved than it would be under a standard grant. In practice, that structure usually signals ongoing collaboration, reporting, and performance oversight tied to program goals. The maximum award amount listed is $321,800 per award, and the agency anticipated making five total awards, corresponding to the five center locations to be competed. The original application closing date shown in the notice is December 21, 2015, and the opportunity record was created on October 19, 2015. The assistance is associated with CFDA 11.805, and the activity category is broadly framed under business and commerce, while also being tagged with environment, natural resources, science and technology, and other research and development categories, suggesting the program may serve a wide range of industries and growth pathways even though the central focus is business development.
Eligibility is intentionally broad to encourage capable operators from different sectors. Eligible applicants include for-profit organizations (such as sole proprietorships, partnerships, LLCs, and corporations), nonprofit organizations, state and local government entities, Native American Tribes, and educational institutions. In other words, the agency is less concerned with the applicant being a particular organizational type and more concerned with whether the applicant can credibly run a center that delivers strong outcomes for minority businesses.
The notice emphasizes that successful applicants should bring substantial, proven experience helping minority firms compete at a large scale. That includes assisting MBEs in winning major contracts and procurements, securing financing awards, and plugging into established supply chains where vendor qualification and performance expectations can be demanding. It also highlights more advanced growth support such as educating and advising firms on joint ventures, teaming arrangements, mergers and acquisitions, and minority business advocacy. Another key capability is helping MBEs enter and execute large-scale transactions in global markets, which implies the centers are expected to support export readiness, international deal structuring, cross-border partnerships, or similar expansion strategies when appropriate.
Finally, beyond technical competence, the opportunity signals an expectation of mission alignment. Applicants are expected to demonstrate that their organizational mission fits well with MBDA and the objectives of the MBDA Business Center program. Put simply, the program is looking for operators that can deliver measurable business growth outcomes for minority-owned enterprises, have the networks and expertise to open doors to capital and contracts, and are positioned to serve as credible advocates and facilitators for MBEs pursuing larger and more complex opportunities.Apply for MBDA OBD 2016 2004579
- The Department of Commerce in the business and commerce, environment, natural resources, science and technology and other research and development sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "MBDA Business Centers (5)" and is now available to receive applicants.
- Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 11.805.
- This funding opportunity was created on 2015-10-19.
- Applicants must submit their applications by 2015-12-21. (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 $321,800.00 in funding.
- The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 5 candidate(s).
- Eligible applicants include: Others.
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FAQs: MBDA Business Centers (5) Grant Opportunity (MBDA OBD 2016 2004579)
What is the MBDA Business Centers (5) grant opportunity?
This is a competitive, discretionary federal funding opportunity from the U.S. Department of Commerce to select operators for five Minority Business Development Agency (MBDA) Business Centers. The centers are intended to serve as local hubs that provide hands-on technical assistance and business development services to minority business enterprises (MBEs).
What is the primary purpose of the MBDA Business Centers program?
The core goal is to help MBEs secure more and larger financing deals and contract opportunities, and to turn those wins into real economic outcomes, especially job creation and job retention within minority-owned firms.
How many awards does the agency expect to make?
The agency anticipated making five total awards, corresponding to five MBDA Business Center locations being competed under this announcement.
What is the maximum award amount?
The maximum award amount listed is $321,800 per award.
What type of federal funding instrument is used for these awards?
Awards are issued as cooperative agreements, not standard grants.
What does it mean that the award is a cooperative agreement?
Based on the description provided, a cooperative agreement typically indicates the federal agency expects to be more actively involved than it would be under a standard grant. In practice, this often signals ongoing collaboration, reporting, and performance oversight tied to program goals.
Which federal agency is offering this opportunity?
The opportunity is from the U.S. Department of Commerce, supporting the Minority Business Development Agency (MBDA) Business Center program.
What is the Funding Opportunity Number for this program?
The Funding Opportunity Number is MBDA OBD 2016 2004579.
What is the CFDA number associated with this opportunity?
The assistance is associated with CFDA 11.805.
When was the opportunity record created and what was the application closing date?
The opportunity record was created on October 19, 2015. The original application closing date shown in the notice is December 21, 2015.
Who is eligible to apply?
Eligibility is broad. Eligible applicants include for-profit organizations (including sole proprietorships, partnerships, LLCs, and corporations), nonprofit organizations, state and local government entities, Native American Tribes, and educational institutions.
Does the program restrict eligibility to nonprofits or government entities?
No. The notice indicates the agency is open to applicants across multiple organization types, including for-profit entities, as long as the applicant can credibly operate a center and deliver strong outcomes for minority businesses.
What kinds of services are MBDA Business Centers expected to provide?
Centers are expected to deliver hands-on technical assistance and business development services to MBEs, with an emphasis on helping firms secure financing and contract opportunities and translating those successes into measurable economic outcomes like job creation and retention.
What outcomes is the program trying to achieve for minority business enterprises?
The notice emphasizes outcomes such as securing more and larger financing deals, winning contract opportunities, and turning those gains into tangible results for minority-owned firms, especially job creation and job retention.
What experience should a strong applicant demonstrate?
The notice emphasizes that successful applicants should have substantial, proven experience helping minority firms compete at a large scale. This includes helping MBEs win major contracts and procurements, secure financing awards, and connect into established supply chains where vendor qualification and performance requirements can be demanding.
What kinds of contracting and procurement support are emphasized?
The opportunity highlights assisting MBEs in winning major contracts and procurements and navigating supply chain participation, including situations where vendor qualification and performance expectations are more demanding.
What kinds of financing support are emphasized?
The stated focus includes helping MBEs secure more and larger financing deals and assisting in securing financing awards.
Does the opportunity mention support for partnerships or advanced growth strategies?
Yes. The notice highlights advanced growth support such as educating and advising firms on joint ventures, teaming arrangements, mergers and acquisitions, and minority business advocacy.
Does the program expect centers to support global or international business activity?
Yes. The opportunity states that centers should be able to help MBEs enter and execute large-scale transactions in global markets, which implies support for export readiness, international deal structuring, cross-border partnerships, or similar expansion strategies when appropriate.
What does the opportunity say about mission alignment?
Applicants are expected to demonstrate that their organizational mission aligns well with MBDA and the objectives of the MBDA Business Center program. The program is looking for operators positioned to deliver measurable growth outcomes for MBEs and to act as credible advocates and facilitators for larger, more complex opportunities.
What industries or activity areas does this opportunity relate to?
The activity category is broadly framed under business and commerce. The opportunity is also tagged with environment, natural resources, science and technology, and other research and development categories, suggesting the program may serve a wide range of industries and growth pathways while keeping business development as the central focus.
Is this a competitive opportunity?
Yes. It is described as a competitive, discretionary federal funding announcement.
What is being funded: services to MBEs or direct funding to MBEs?
Based on the information provided, the awards are to select operators to run MBDA Business Centers that deliver services to minority business enterprises. The notice emphasizes technical assistance and business development services delivered through the centers.
What role do networks and supply chain connections play in a strong application?
The notice suggests that capable operators should have the networks and expertise to help MBEs access established supply chains and meet demanding vendor qualification and performance expectations, alongside opening doors to capital and contracting opportunities.
What is the intended role of the MBDA Business Centers in their local markets?
The centers are intended to function as local hubs that provide hands-on support to MBEs, help them secure larger financing and contracting opportunities, and translate those results into measurable business and employment outcomes.
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