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Webinar Reminder: SBA Regional Innovation Clusters 2015 Solicitation: Informational Webinar - June 11, 2015 - 3:30 PM EDT

U.S. Small Business Administration
Office of Entrepreneurial Development
2015 Regional Innovation Clusters Solicitation

On June 5, 2015, the SBA released a combined synopsis/solicitation on FedBizOpps.gov for regional innovation cluster initiative services. The SBA intends to award a total of up to three contracts for entities to head regional innovation cluster initiatives. This combined synopsis/solicitation is partially set-aside for award to one qualified small business. The remaining two awards are being competed full and open.

The SBA is investing in regional clusters throughout the United States. Clusters are geographic concentrations of interconnected companies and institutions in a particular field. These clusters span a variety of industries that include energy, manufacturing, agriculture, and advanced defense technologies. The goal of the Agency's involvement in clusters is to connect and enhance innovation assets so that small businesses can effectively leverage them to commercialize new technologies and expand into new markets, thereby positioning themselves and their regional economies for growth.

Successful cluster initiative proposals will include partnerships with and between business and industry groups, academic institutions, economic development organizations, entrepreneurial education programs, and training initiatives - and will reflect an industry and region-specific focus and collaboration.
The SBA intends to award a total of three contracts to contractors to head cluster initiatives. Each contract will be for a base year and four option years. The base year is expected to be for a firm-fixed, level-of-effort price not to exceed $500,000.00. Travel costs and event costs will be included in the negotiated firm-fixed, not-to-exceed price.

As part of SBA’s involvement in the Partnerships for Opportunity and Workforce and Economic Revitalization (POWER) initiative, the SBA intends to make one of the three contemplated contract awards to an entity that will provide cluster initiative services to a community affected by changes in the coal economy. Offerors who intend to submit a proposal to serve a community affected by the coal economy should cross reference the POWER Federal Funding Opportunity and take note of the special instructions included in the SBA statement of work.

SBA will take into consideration whether proposing entities are part of and will provide services to communities with an Investing in Manufacturing and Communities Partnership (IMCP) designation, as well as entities that are part of a Promise Zone designation.

An overview webinar will be held by the Program Office on June 11, 2015 from 3:30-4:30 PM EDT. The webinar is entitled “SBA Regional Innovation Clusters 2015 Solicitation: Informational Webinar”. The webinar is informational only; no interaction with listeners will occur.

Access the SBA Regional Innovation Cluster 2015 Solicitation: Information Webinar.

Application Deadline: Must be submitted on August 4, 2015 by 3 PM MDT .

View the full notice on FedBizOpps.gov.

View more information on the SBA Clusters Program

 
            
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