Notice2023-17837
Notice of Solicitation for the Minority Business Enterprises Advisory Council for the Minority Business Development Agency
Primary source
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Published
August 18, 2023
Issuing agencies
Commerce DepartmentMinority Business Development Agency
Abstract
The U.S. Department of Commerce, Minority Business Development Agency (MBDA) is seeking nominations for the Minority Business Enterprises Advisory Council (MBEAC) pursuant to the authority of the Minority Business Development Act of 2021 and the Federal Advisory Committee Act (FACA), as amended. The Council will advise the Under Secretary of Commerce for Minority Business Development on various topics impacting socially and economically disadvantaged businesses. MBDA is looking to appoint nine (9) members of the initial term of the Council. These individuals shall be from the private sector with a balanced and broad range of interests regarding the social and economic life of minority business concerns. The private sector members may include individuals from academia and think tanks, companies, chambers of commerce, financial entities, labor and trade associations, non- profit organizations, and stakeholders involved in socially and economically disadvantaged business concerns.
Full Text
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<title>Federal Register, Volume 88 Issue 159 (Friday, August 18, 2023)</title>
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[Federal Register Volume 88, Number 159 (Friday, August 18, 2023)]
[Notices]
[Pages 56593-56594]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2023-17837]
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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
Minority Business Development Agency
[Doc. No. 230814-0194]
Notice of Solicitation for the Minority Business Enterprises
Advisory Council for the Minority Business Development Agency
AGENCY: Minority Business Development Agency (MBDA), Department of
Commerce.
ACTION: Notice to solicit nominees.
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SUMMARY: The U.S. Department of Commerce, Minority Business Development
Agency (MBDA) is seeking nominations for the Minority Business
Enterprises Advisory Council (MBEAC) pursuant to the authority of the
Minority Business Development Act of 2021 and the Federal Advisory
Committee Act (FACA), as amended. The Council will advise the Under
Secretary of Commerce for Minority Business Development on various
topics impacting socially and economically disadvantaged businesses.
MBDA is looking to appoint nine (9) members of the initial term of the
Council. These individuals shall be from the private sector with a
balanced and broad range of interests regarding the social and economic
life of minority business concerns. The private sector members may
include individuals from academia and think tanks, companies, chambers
of commerce, financial entities, labor and trade associations, non-
profit organizations, and stakeholders involved in socially and
economically disadvantaged business concerns.
DATES: MBDA will consider applications received by September 18, 2023,
for potential selection to the inaugural MBEAC. Applications received
after this date may be considered by MBDA as and when vacancies become
available.
ADDRESSES: Individuals who are interested in being considered for the
MBEAC must submit a resume and cover letter detailing their relevant
experience to <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#3c5d584a554f534e455f5349525f55507c515e585d125b534a"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="563732203f2539242f35392338353f3a163b34323778313920">[email protected]</span></a>. If electronic submission is not
feasible, submissions may be mailed to: Minority Business Development
Agency (MBDA), U.S. Department of Commerce, Attn: Cara M. Morris, 1401
Constitution Ave., NW, Room 5075, Washington, DC 20230.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Cara M. Morris, Director, Business
Center Excellence & Program Support, Minority Business Development
Agency, U.S. Department of Commerce, Email: <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#1477797b66667d672554797670753a737b62"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="7d1e10120f0f140e4c3d101f191c531a120b">[email protected]</span></a>, 202-482-
2332.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: On November 15, 2021, the Minority Business
Development Act of 2021 (Pub. L. 117-58), made permanent the Minority
Business Development Agency (MBDA) and expanded MBDA's roles and
authorities. Among other things, the Act mandated the creation of the
Minority Business Enterprises Advisory Council (MBEAC or ``the
Council'').
The objective of the MBEAC is to provide group advice to the Under
Secretary of Commerce for Minority Business Development on matters
pertaining to the growth and global competitiveness of the nation's 9.7
million minority business enterprises (MBEs), such as identifying
barriers to entrepreneurship and business growth; providing insight
related to the economic conditions of socially or economically
disadvantaged businesses; proposing opportunities for collaboration on
and coordination of policies relating to entrepreneurship and business
growth for socially and economically disadvantaged businesses; and
advising on measures to better achieve MBDA's objectives. The MBEAC was
established in accordance with the Federal Advisory Committee Act, as
amended (FACA), 5 U.S.C. chapter 10. See the MBEAC Charter, available
at: <a href="https://gsa-geo.my.salesforce.com/sfc/p/#t0000000Gyj0/a/t0000003Gceu/9JxK.9.iqBesjToAwbbYyuYpJviXxxZC3ELQmn5Mts4">https://gsa-geo.my.salesforce.com/sfc/p/#t0000000Gyj0/a/t0000003Gceu/9JxK.9.iqBesjToAwbbYyuYpJviXxxZC3ELQmn5Mts4</a>.
The MBDA is a dynamic organization that needs industry leaders'
input with a wide range of experience and insight. Accordingly, the
MBDA is soliciting applications from private sector representatives
with a balanced and broad range of interests regarding the social and
economic life of Minority Business Enterprises (MBEs) to serve as
advisory committee members of the MBEAC. Individuals may self-nominate
or be nominated by someone else.
The Council will consist of nine members from the private sector as
well as at least ten members from federal agencies that support or
otherwise have duties related to business formation, including duties
relating to labor development, monetary policy, national security,
energy, agriculture, transportation, and housing. The Council will meet
2-3 times per year and members shall serve for a term of 2 years.
Members can be reappointed after the 2-year term expires. MBDA is
soliciting two types of private sector members. ``Representative
members'' are appointed to offer insight and perspectives of clearly
identified sectors and stakeholder groups. ``Special Government
Employee (SGE) members'' are appointed for their individual expertise
and experience. Special Government Employees are subject to conflict-
of-interest laws and regulations, including (but not limited to) the
obligation to annually file a New Entrant Confidential Financial
Disclosure Report (OGE Form 450) and complete ethics training.
Representative members are not subject to these requirements. Private
sector members will be individually advised of the capacity in which
they will serve through their appointment letters. Please also note
that members of the Council shall not be compensated for service on the
Council but may be allowed travel expenses, including per diem in lieu
of subsistence, in accordance with subchapter I of chapter 57 of title
5, United States Code.
Council Size and Terms
The MBEAC will be comprised of at least 19 members (9 private
sector members and at least 10 federal members). The newly appointed
members will serve a two-year term and may be reappointed. If a member
vacates the MBEAC before the end of the two-year term, a replacement
member may be appointed to fill the unexpired term.
The membership of the Council should include expertise and
viewpoints that reflect the breadth of the Council's responsibilities.
MBDA is mindful that committees work best when there is a mix of
viewpoints brought about through diverse experiences in different areas
of the committee's responsibility by members of diverse races, genders,
business and industry sectors, and cultural backgrounds. This Notice of
Solicitation will be widely distributed to encourage a diverse
applicant pool.
Qualifications and Selection Criteria
1. Expertise and Experience: Members should possess significant
expertise and experience in areas relevant to the growth and
development of MBEs and the business ecosystem, such as business
development, entrepreneurship, finance, policy
[[Page 56594]]
advocacy, or related fields. Members should have insights into barriers
to entrepreneurship and business growth and ways to overcome those
barriers. Relevant fields include, but are not limited to, access to
traditional and alternative capital, public and private sector
procurement, and global markets. Members should also have the ability
to provide insight to relevant data, research, and policy alternatives.
The selection process will prioritize relevant individuals who have
demonstrated a strong track record of success in their respective
fields.
2. Commitment to Minority Business Development: Members should have
a demonstrated commitment to advancing the social and economic life of
MBEs. This can be evidenced through past involvement in initiatives,
projects, or policy advocacy aimed at supporting and empowering MBEs.
3. Sector Representation: Private Sector members will be selected
from diverse backgrounds, including academia and think tanks, companies
of varying sizes, chambers of commerce, financial entities, labor and
trade associations, non-profit organizations, and stakeholders involved
in MBE growth and development.
4. Geographic Representation: MBDA will consider geographic
diversity in selecting members to ensure regional representation and
capture expertise regarding the unique challenges and opportunities
faced by MBEs in different parts of the country.
5. Collaborative and Teamwork Skills: Members should demonstrate
the ability to work collaboratively in a team environment. This
includes effective communication, problem-solving, and the ability to
build consensus among diverse stakeholders.
6. Ability to Serve: Members must be able and willing to dedicate
the necessary time and effort to fulfill their responsibilities
effectively. They should have the availability to attend meetings,
actively participate in Council activities, and contribute
constructively to discussions and decision-making processes.
7. Independence and Impartiality: Applicants for Special Government
Employee (SGE) membership positions must be impartial and independent,
capable of providing objective advice and guidance must not have
conflicts of interest that could compromise their ability to act in the
best interest of MBEs.
Privacy Act Statement
The collection, maintenance, and disclosure of this information is
governed by the Privacy Act of 1974 (5 U.S.C. 552a). The Department of
Commerce is authorized to collect this information pursuant to
authorities that include, but are not limited to, title V, sections
100501 through 100503 of the Minority Business Development Act of 2021,
Public Law 117-58 (Nov. 15, 2021), and in accordance with the Federal
Advisory Committee Act, as amended (FACA), 5 U.S.C. chapter 10. The
principal purposes for which the Department will use the information is
to assist in choosing private sector members of the MBEAC. Information
received will be maintained in a Privacy Act system of records,
COMMERCE/DEPT-11, entitled ``Candidates for Membership, Members, and
Former Members of Department of Commerce Advisory Committees.'' A
notice describing that system, including a complete set of routine
disclosures, has been published both in the Federal Register and on the
Department's website at: <a href="https://osec.doc.gov/opog/PrivacyAct/SORNs/dept-11.html">https://osec.doc.gov/opog/PrivacyAct/SORNs/dept-11.html</a>. Although providing this information is voluntary, an
individual cannot be considered for membership without an application
submission.
Donald R. Cravins, Jr.,
Under Secretary for Minority Business Development, Minority Business
Development Agency.
[FR Doc. 2023-17837 Filed 8-17-23; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-21-P
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