SSBCI Invest-in-America-SBOP-Application

State Small Business Credit Initiative Allocation Agreement

SSBCI Invest-in-America-SBOP-Application

OMB: 1505-0227

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U.S. Department of the Treasury (Treasury)
State Small Business Credit Initiative (SSBCI)
Investing in America Small Business Opportunity Program (SSBCI Investing in America SBOP)
Draft Status – January 11, 2024. Please see Draft Status information below.
SSBCI Investing in American Small Business Opportunity Program (SBOP) Overview
Treasury is pleased to announce that it is seeking applications from eligible applicants for grant funding
under the new SSBCI Investing in America SBOP. Treasury intends to award $75 million in federal grants
through the program to eligible applicants to support programs that propose innovative and high-impact
models for delivering technical assistance (TA) in the areas of legal, accounting, and financial advisory
services to very small businesses (VSBs) and businesses owned and controlled by socially and
economically disadvantaged individuals (SEDI-owned businesses), as those terms are defined in this
application and the SSBCI Investing in America SBOP Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO). Under the
program, applications that can maximize impact by providing or securing a dedicated cash match to
supplement or expand TA offerings will receive more points in the evaluation process. In addition, an
application will receive more points if the TA program is designed to serve eligible small businesses on a
regional basis as described in Section C.1 of the NOFO and the “Project Reach” evaluation criterion in
Section E.1 of the NOFO.
Treasury seeks to advance the following objectives through the SSBCI Investing in America
SBOP:
• Connect VSBs and SEDI-owned businesses with loans or investments supported by the SSBCI
Capital Program or other federal or other jurisdiction small business programs.
• Assist VSBs and SEDI-owned businesses to secure financing so they can access, leverage, and
scale into business opportunities arising from legislation such as the American Rescue Plan Act
of 2021 (ARPA), the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL), the Creating Helpful Incentives to
Produce Semiconductors and Science Act (CHIPS and Science Act), or the Inflation Reduction Act
(IRA).
• Incentivize innovation in the delivery of TA services through collaborations with other
jurisdictions, SEDI-owned LAF firms, non-traditional TA providers, educational institutions, and
community-serving organizations.
• Scale the impact of SSBCI Investing in America SBOP awards through matching funds, including
from the private sector.
Applicants should consult the NOFO for additional guidance corresponding to the various sections of this
application.
The SSBCI Investing in America SBOP is related to and supports the SSBCI Capital Program and the
allocation formula-based SSBCI TA Grant Program. The SSBCI Capital Program supports credit and
investment programs for eligible small businesses, and the formula SSBCI TA Grant Program funds the
provision of TA services in the areas of legal, accounting, and financial advisory services to eligible small
business beneficiaries applying for SSBCI funding and other government small business programs.
The SSBCI Investing in America SBOP Assistance Listing No. 21.034 may be accessed at
https://sam.gov/fal/7e234b832dc24935a07927f9ce3a6f98/view
DRAFT STATUS
Please note that this version of the application is in draft status and is being published while Treasury
accepts comments under the Paperwork Reduction Act (see below). Publication of this draft version of
the application does not open the application submission window or start the 60 calendar day

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U.S. Department of the Treasury (Treasury)
State Small Business Credit Initiative (SSBCI)
Investing in America Small Business Opportunity Program (SSBCI Investing in America SBOP)
Draft Status – January 11, 2024. Please see Draft Status information below.
application deadline clock referenced in the NOFO. Treasury will publish a final version of the
application and an announcement regarding the submission window and application deadline in the
future.
PAPERWORK REDUCTION ACT NOTICE
The information collections discussed in this application will be submitted to the Office of
Management and Budget (OMB) under OMB control number 1505-0227 in accordance with the
Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (44 U.S.C. chapter 35). OMB approval for this information collection
is forthcoming and the information will be collected following OMB approval. This document will be
updated to reflect that approval.
The information collected in this application will be used by the U.S. Department of the Treasury to
determine whether to approve an applicant for grant funding under the SSBCI Investing in America
SBOP. An agency may not conduct or sponsor, and a person is not required to respond to, a collection of
information unless it displays a valid control number assigned by the Office of Management and Budget
(OMB). The estimated burden associated with this collection of information is 6 hours per response.
Comments concerning the accuracy of this burden estimate and suggestions for reducing this burden
should be directed to the Office of Privacy, Transparency, and Records, U.S. Department of the Treasury,
1500 Pennsylvania Ave., N.W., Washington, D.C. 20220. DO NOT send this application form to this
address.
PRIVACY ACT STATEMENT
The Privacy Act of 1974 (Privacy Act) protects certain information that the federal government has
about “individuals” (United States citizens and lawfully admitted permanent residents). The Privacy Act
does not generally apply to businesses, but some federal courts have found that this law applies to sole
proprietors (they are deemed “individuals” under the Privacy Act).
AUTHORITY: Small Business Jobs Act of 2010 (SBJA), Title III, 12 U.S.C. § 5701 et seq., as amended by the
American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 (ARPA), section 3301.
PURPOSE: This information is being collected and maintained by Treasury so that it can review and
make funding decisions regarding applications submitted for grant funding under the SSBCI Investing in
America SBOP established under the SBJA, as amended by ARPA, and communicate with applicant
contacts, and otherwise carry out the program.
ROUTINE USE: The information you furnish may be shared in accordance with the routine uses outlined
in Treasury .013, Department of the Treasury Civil Rights Complaints, Compliance Reviews, and Fairness
in Federal Programs Files System of Records Notice (SORN); Treasury .015, General Information
Technology Access Account Records, 85 Fed. Reg. 73353; and Treasury .017, Correspondence and
Contact Information, 81 Fed. Reg. 78266. For example, one routine use under Treasury .017 allows the
disclosure of information to international, federal, state, local, tribal, or private entities for the purpose
of the regular exchange of business contact information in order to facilitate collaboration for official
business. More information about this and other routine uses can be found in the System of Records
Notices (SORNs) listed above, which are posted on Treasury’s website.

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U.S. Department of the Treasury (Treasury)
State Small Business Credit Initiative (SSBCI)
Investing in America Small Business Opportunity Program (SSBCI Investing in America SBOP)
Draft Status – January 11, 2024. Please see Draft Status information below.
Section 1: User Instructions
Welcome to the U.S. Department of the Treasury (Treasury) application submission portal for the State
Small Business Credit Initiative Investing in America Small Business Opportunity Program (SSBCI
Investing in America SBOP). Any state, territory, the District of Columbia, or Tribal government (each a
“jurisdiction”) that has been approved as a participating jurisdiction in the SSBCI Capital Program is
eligible to apply. Jurisdictions that are not yet approved as participating jurisdictions in the SSBCI Capital
Program, but have submitted a complete and timely SSBCI Capital Program applications (or are part of a
joint Tribal government application) are also eligible to apply. Please note that to receive an SSBCI
Investing in America SBOP award, a jurisdiction must be approved as a participating jurisdiction in the
SSBCI Capital Program.
For your application to be evaluated by Treasury, please follow the instructions below. Eligible
applicants must be registered in the System for Award Management (SAM, at SAM.gov) before
submitting their application to Treasury for a grant under this program and pursuant to 2 CFR
§ 25.200(b), must maintain an active SAM registration at all times throughout the application period and
if awarded, throughout the period of performance of the grant. In addition, all applicants must provide
their unique entity identifier (UEI) assigned to them in SAM.gov in their application.
OMB CONTROL NUMBER: 1505-0227
EXPIRATION DATE: 07/31/2025
The SSBCI Investing in America SBOP application consists of nine sections, some of which are optional:
Section 1: User Instructions
Section 2: Application Documents
Section 3: Key Terms
Section 4: SSBCI Investing in America SBOP Eligible Applicant and Subrecipient Information
Section 4.1: Eligible Applicant
Section 4.2: SSBCI Investing in America SBOP Authorized Official
Section 4.3: Primary and Secondary Contacts
Section 4.4: Subrecipients
Section 4.5: Financial Institution Information
Section 5: Program Design and Substance
Section 6: Proposed Budget and Narrative Justification
Section 6.1: Proposed Budget
Section 6.2: Narrative Justification of Budget
Section 6.3: Letter(s) of Private Matching Funds Commitment (if applicable)
Section 7: Assurances and Certifications
Section 7.1: Form SF-LLL – Disclosure of Lobbying Activities (if applicable)
Section 7.2: Assurances of Compliance with Civil Rights Requirements
Section 7.3: SSBCI Investing in America SBOP Assurances and Certifications
Section 8: Optional Programmatic Supporting Documentation
Section 9: Application Certification and Submission

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Eligible beneficiaries are VSBs and SEDI-owned businesses (as defined in this section and in
section A.2 of the NOFO) that are applying for an SSBCI capital program or other federal or other
jurisdiction small business program.
References throughout this application to businesses applying for SSBCI capital programs or other
small business programs also include businesses that are preparing to apply for or have previously
applied for such programs.

•

A legal, accounting, or financial advisory firm (LAF firm) is a for-profit or nonprofit entity that meets
at least one of the following criteria:
1. A primary purpose of the entity or a central part of the entity’s mission is to provide legal,
accounting, and/or financial advisory services,
2. The entity regularly markets or publicizes itself as providing legal, accounting, and/or financial
advisory services, or
3. At least 25% of the entity’s revenues or staff are dedicated to providing legal, accounting,
and/or financial advisory services.
See also FAQ # 2 “How does Treasury define a ‘legal, accounting, or financial advisory firm’ for
purposes of the TA Grant Program?” under Section III. Eligible Recipients, Beneficiaries, and TA
providers at https://home.treasury.gov/system/files/136/SSBCIFAQs.pdf, which will apply to
applications and grants funded under the SSBCI Investing in America SBOP.

•

A SEDI-owned business is:
1. A business enterprise that certifies that it is owned and controlled by individuals who have had
their access to credit on reasonable terms diminished compared to others in comparable
economic circumstances due to:
• Membership of a group that has been subjected to racial or ethnic prejudice or cultural bias
within American society,
• Gender,
• Veteran status,
• Limited English proficiency,
• Disability
• Long-term residence in an environment isolated from the mainstream of American society,
• Membership of a federally or state-recognized Indian Tribe,
• Long-term residence in a rural community,
• Residence in a U.S. territory,
• Residence in a community undergoing economic transitions (including communities
impacted by the shift towards a net-zero economy or deindustrialization), or
• Membership of an underserved community. (Underserved communities are populations
sharing a particular characteristic, as well as geographic communities, that have been
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Eligible applicant means any state, territory, the District of Columbia, or Tribal government (each a
“jurisdiction”) that has been approved as a participating jurisdiction in the SSBCI Capital Program is
eligible to apply. Jurisdictions that are not yet approved as participating jurisdictions in the SSBCI
Capital Program, but that have submitted complete and timely SSBCI Capital Program applications
(or are part of a joint Tribal government application) are also eligible to apply; however, to receive
an SSBCI Investing in America SBOP award, a jurisdiction must be approved as a participating
jurisdiction in the SSBCI Capital Program.

•

TA providers provide TA services to eligible beneficiaries and must be either jurisdiction entities
(e.g., state agencies or government corporations) or LAF firms.

The CDFI Fund evaluates Puerto Rico, but not other territories, in identifying CDFI Investment Areas. For purposes
of the SSBCI, Treasury has also evaluated American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands, and the U.S.
Virgin Islands and has determined that these territories in their entirety constitute CDFI Investment Areas, because
each of these territories has a poverty rate of at least 20 percent. See 12 CFR § 1805.201(b)(3)(ii)(D)(1)).

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•

TA services are legal, accounting, and financial advisory services provided to eligible beneficiaries as
described in Section C.4 of the NOFO.

•

A VSB is a business with fewer than 10 employees, and includes independent contractors and sole
proprietors.

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U.S. Department of the Treasury (Treasury)
State Small Business Credit Initiative (SSBCI)
Investing in America Small Business Opportunity Program (SSBCI Investing in America SBOP)
Draft Status – January 11, 2024. Please see Draft Status information below.
Section 4: SSBCI Investing in America SBOP Eligible Applicant and Subrecipient Information
Section 4.1: Eligible Applicant
Please enter information below for the eligible applicant for the jurisdiction, which may be a specific
department, agency, or political subdivision of the jurisdiction that has been designated to submit the
SSBCI Investing in America SBOP application; sign the grant agreement on behalf of the eligible
jurisdiction as the grant recipient, if approved; receive and disburse grant funds, if approved; and carry
out grant objectives on behalf of the eligible jurisdiction as the grant recipient, if approved. The term
“agency” includes government corporations and other entities authorized or supervised by the
jurisdiction; this would include, for example, Alaska Native Corporations.
Note that a Tribal government may choose to apply under its own name and, if approved, receive an
SSBCI Investing in America SBOP grant as the recipient instead of designating an agency, department, or
political subdivision to apply for and receive the grant on its behalf, so long as that choice is clearly
reflected in application. For example, the Tribal government itself should be listed in this Section 4.1 of
the application, and the attached designation letter from the governing official of the Tribal government
must also reflect the Tribal government as the designated applicant (see Section 4.1B below). The Tribal
government must be registered on SAM.gov and include its UEI in the application.
Jurisdiction Name
SSBCI Investing in America SBOP Eligible Applicant Name
SSBCI Investing in America SBOP Eligible Applicant Type [select codes from item 9 of the
Form SF-424]
SSBCI Investing in America SBOP Eligible Applicant Unique Entity Identifier (UEI)
SSBCI Investing in America SBOP Eligible Applicant Taxpayer Identification Number (TIN) or Employer
Identification Number (EIN)
Does the Eligible Applicant have an active SAM.gov registration? Yes/No
SSBCI Investing in America SBOP Eligible Applicant Address 1
SSBCI Investing in America SBOP Eligible Applicant Address 2
SSBCI Investing in America SBOP Eligible Applicant City
SSBCI Investing in America SBOP Eligible Applicant State
SSBCI Investing in America SBOP Eligible Applicant Zip
SSBCI Investing in America SBOP Eligible Applicant ZIP+4
Is this a joint application on behalf of multiple Tribal governments? Yes/No
Section 4.1A: Joint Application (if “Yes” to joint application question above)
Treasury will permit either a non-Tribal entity or a Tribal-affiliated entity (referred to as “Agent for the
Tribes”) to directly apply for and administer an SSBCI Investing in America SBOP grant on behalf of a
group of Tribal governments only under the conditions specified in this application and the relevant
FAQ, which ensure the Agent for the Tribes is duly authorized by the relevant Tribes to act as their agent
and have the capacity to effectively carry out the grant on their behalf. For additional requirements
applicable to joint Tribal applications, please see TA Grant Program FAQ #3 “Can a Tribal-affiliated entity
or non-Tribal entity apply for a TA grant, sign a TA Grant Agreement, and implement the grant on behalf
of a group of Tribal governments” under Section III. Eligible Recipients, Beneficiaries, and TA Providers at
https://home.treasury.gov/system/files/136/SSBCI-FAQs.pdf, which will apply to applications and grants
under this program.

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Submit the SSBCI Investing in America SBOP Grant Program application;
Sign the SSBCI Investing in America SBOP grant agreement, if approved;
Receive and disburse SSBCI Investing in America SBOP funds, if approved; and
Carry out the grant objectives on behalf of the Tribal government, if approved.

The Designation Documentation must include Tribal resolutions or official documentation of other
actions taken by each participating Tribal government to delegate such authority to the entity named in
Section 4.1. You may either submit one letter of designation appropriately representing all eligible Tribal
governments in your joint application or submit letters of designation for each eligible Tribal
government within your application.
Please upload the Designation Documentation:
After you provide the requested information, select the “Add Entity” button to save information for the
current entity. If you need to add additional entities, you can do so after you click the “Add Entity”
button.
Note that if Treasury preliminarily selects an application that includes an Agent for the Tribes, the Agent
for the Tribes must submit additional certifications before Treasury approves an award; however, those
certifications are not required at the time of application submission. See also TA Grant Program FAQ #3
“Can a Tribal-affiliated entity or non-Tribal entity apply for a TA grant, sign a TA Grant Agreement, and
implement the grant on behalf of a group of Tribal governments” under Section III. Eligible Recipients,

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Submit the SSBCI Investing in America SBOP application;
Sign the SSBCI Investing in America SBOP grant agreement, if approved;
Receive and disburse SSBCI Investing in America SBOP funds, if approved; and
Carry out the grant objectives, if approved.

This letter should include the title of the SSBCI Investing in America SBOP Authorized Official listed in
Section 4.2, who is the applicant official authorized to sign the application and grant agreement and
make decisions on behalf of the eligible jurisdiction as the grant recipient under the program.
Please upload the Applicant Letter of Designation.
Section 4.2: SSBCI Investing in America SBOP Authorized Official
Please enter the information for the official who is authorized to sign and make decisions on behalf of
the eligible applicant regarding this application (SSBCI Investing in America SBOP Authorized Official).
This individual will be asked to authorize the application using a DocuSign electronic signature at the
completion of this application in Section 9.
SSBCI Investing in America SBOP Authorized Official First Name
SSBCI Investing in America SBOP Authorized Official Last Name
SSBCI Investing in America SBOP Authorized Official Title
SSBCI Investing in America SBOP Authorized Official Org.
SSBCI Investing in America SBOP Authorized Official Email
SSBCI Investing in America SBOP Authorized Official Phone
SSBCI Investing in America SBOP Authorized Official Address 1
SSBCI Investing in America SBOP Authorized Official Address
SSBCI Investing in America SBOP Authorized Official City
SSBCI Investing in America SBOP Authorized Official State
SSBCI Investing in America SBOP Authorized Official Zip Code
SSBCI Investing in America SBOP Authorized Official Zip Code +4
Has the SSBCI Investing in America SBOP Authorized Official delegated to another official the
authority to certify and electronically sign the SSBCI Investing in America SBOP Grant application
on their behalf? Yes/No
Section 4.2A: SSBCI Investing in America SBOP Authorized Official Delegation of Authority (if “Yes” to
delegated official question above)

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The scope of the delegation, including any specific authority to execute and deliver documents;
The name, title, telephone number, and email address of each official who has been delegated
authority;
The effective date of the delegation and the end date, if any, for which the delegation is valid;
and
References to applicable laws of the state, the District of Columbia, Tribal government, or
territory that permit the delegation.

Please enter the information for the delegated official:
SSBCI Investing in America SBOP Delegated Official First Name
SSBCI Investing in America SBOP Delegated Official Last Name
SSBCI Investing in America SBOP Delegated Official Title
SSBCI Investing in America SBOP Delegated Official Organization
SSBCI Investing in America SBOP Delegated Official Email
SSBCI Investing in America SBOP Delegated Official Phone
SSBCI Investing in America SBOP Delegated Official Address 1
SSBCI Investing in America SBOP Delegated Official Address 2
SSBCI Investing in America SBOP Delegated Official City
SSBCI Investing in America SBOP Delegated Official State
SSBCI Investing in America SBOP Delegated Official Zip Code
SSBCI Investing in America SBOP Delegated Official Zip Code +4
If this delegation is submitted, this individual will be asked to authorize the application using a DocuSign
electronic signature at the completion of this application in Section 9.
Please upload additional information on this delegation of authority.
Section 4.3: Primary and Secondary Contacts
Please enter information for the primary and secondary contacts who will be notified regarding this
application. These contacts will be contacted with any status updates for this application. The SSBCI
Investing in America SBOP Authorized Official and/or the official who has been delegated authority to
act on the SSBCI Investing in America SBOP Authorized Official’s behalf as identified in Sections 4.2 and
4.2A may be listed as application contacts or different individuals may be listed as application contacts.
SSBCI Investing in America SBOP Primary POC First Name
SSBCI Investing in America SBOP Primary POC Last Name
SSBCI Investing in America SBOP Primary POC Title
SSBCI Investing in America SBOP Primary Email
SSBCI Investing in America SBOP Primary POC Phone

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U.S. Department of the Treasury (Treasury)
State Small Business Credit Initiative (SSBCI)
Investing in America Small Business Opportunity Program (SSBCI Investing in America SBOP)
Draft Status – January 11, 2024. Please see Draft Status information below.
SSBCI Investing in America SBOP Secondary POC First Name
SSBCI Investing in America SBOP Secondary POC Last Name
SSBCI Investing in America SBOP Secondary POC Title
SSBCI Investing in America SBOP Secondary Email
SSBCI Investing in America SBOP Secondary Phone
Do you permit Treasury to share your application’s primary and secondary contacts’ information in
Section 4.3 with other states, the District of Columbia, Tribal governments, and territories for
SSBCI Investing in America SBOP collaboration purposes? Yes/No
Section 4.4: Subrecipients
If Treasury approves an award under this program, before disbursing any funds to a proposed
subrecipient, the recipient must identify the subrecipient and provide documentation that the
subrecipient is an entity eligible to receive a subaward under the SSBCI Investing in America SBOP
consistent with Section C.3 of the SSBCI Investing in America SBOP NOFO. In addition, the recipient must
provide Treasury with an itemized subrecipient budget with an appropriate justification via a budget
narrative.
Does the eligible applicant intend to make a subaward for one or more subrecipients to carry out all
or a portion of the SSBCI Investing in America SBOP award? Yes/No
Section 4.4A: Subrecipient Information
Please populate the information below for each subrecipient that has been designated to carry out all or
part of the SSBCI Investing in America SBOP Award on behalf of the eligible applicant. Once created and
saved, the subrecipient information will appear in the table below. Please populate as many fields as
possible for each subrecipient below before proceeding to click on ‘Add Subrecipient’ button. For more
information regarding subrecipients, please see the SSBCI Investing in America SBOP NOFO, particularly
Section C.3.
Subrecipient Type [select codes from item 9 of the Form SF-424]
Subrecipient Name
Subrecipient UEI
Subrecipient TIN or EIN
Does the Subrecipient have an active SAM.gov registration? Yes/No
Subrecipient Street Address 1
Subrecipient Street Address 2
Subrecipient City
Subrecipient State
Subrecipient Zip Code
Subrecipient Zip Code +4
Subrecipient verified as not debarred, suspended, or otherwise excluded per 2 CFR 180.300 and
31 CFR 19.300? Yes/No 2
The applicant must make this verification using SAM.gov. The “Help” tab on SAM.gov provides users with
instructions on a variety of topics, including how to search for entity exclusions. To access the instructions on
searching for exclusions, visit https://sam.gov/content/help and scroll down to “Help for Non-Federal Users.” Click

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on “Searching for Information in SAM.gov” and then click on “Looking for Exclusions.” You may also ask the Federal
Service Desk at https://www.fsd.gov/gsafsd_sp.

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U.S. Department of the Treasury (Treasury)
State Small Business Credit Initiative (SSBCI)
Investing in America Small Business Opportunity Program (SSBCI Investing in America SBOP)
Draft Status – January 11, 2024. Please see Draft Status information below.
Section 5: Program Design and Substance
Eligible applicants are required to submit a Program Design and Substance that clearly describes the
applicant’s plan for providing TA as part of their application for SSBCI Investing in America SBOP funding.
What is the proposed length of your project?
Note that the length of the period of performance should not exceed 36 months.
The Program Design and Substance should be a maximum of 15 total pages (12 pt. font, one-inch
margins), including any exhibits or attachments. Material beyond 15 pages will not be considered.
Eligible applicants must address the following in the Program Design and Substance:
Section 1: Executive Summary (up to one page)
Applicants must include a succinct overview of the proposed project and activities. The executive
summary should include what the applicant plans to accomplish, a summary of the proposed activities
and deliverables, and a brief description of the potential broader impact of the grant’s successful
completion.
Section 2: Description of Project Service Area and Potential to Connect Eligible Beneficiaries to
Opportunities
Provide a description of the project’s location and region, including the areas of impact and the targeted
participants to be served. Applicants should include a description of the service area’s existing resources
and assets to support small businesses, which may include networks of existing TA providers and
services or jurisdiction financial resources, and an explanation of the rationale for the service area’s
selection. Projects may cover a service area that is regional or multi-jurisdictional, which should be
clearly outlined in this section.
In this section, applicants should describe the types of business opportunities the project is designed to
help eligible beneficiaries access and leverage. Such opportunities might include those arising from
ARPA, BIL, the CHIPS and Science Act, or the IRA or from an existing economic development cluster. 3
Applicants should also provide an assessment of the needs of eligible beneficiaries in the project service
area in accessing and leveraging the identified opportunities and any limitations or gaps in coverage in
providing TA services to eligible beneficiaries.
Section 3: Proposed Solution
Applicants must describe their proposed solution and how it aligns with the needs of the eligible
beneficiaries and overcomes any limitations or gaps in coverage in providing TA services, as described
in Section 2 of the Program Design and Substance above. The proposed solution should describe how
the proposed project will help eligible beneficiaries access, leverage, and scale into identified
opportunities. This section should also include an explanation of how the proposed project supports
eligible small business beneficiaries applying for the SSBCI Capital Program, and other programs that
For purposes of the SSBCI Investing in America SBOP, an economic development cluster means a network of
similar, synergistic, or complementary entities that support an industry sector and its various supply chains.
See also the definition of “Regional Innovation Clusters or RICs” at 13 CFR 300.3. The applicant should clearly
define the relevant local economic development cluster and how the proposed TA project supports the cluster.

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U.S. Department of the Treasury (Treasury)
State Small Business Credit Initiative (SSBCI)
Investing in America Small Business Opportunity Program (SSBCI Investing in America SBOP)
Draft Status – January 11, 2024. Please see Draft Status information below.
support small businesses. Applicants should describe how the project is connected to relevant small
business programs and provide evidence that demonstrates how the applicant will leverage other
existing programs and funding sources that currently assist VSBs and SEDI-owned businesses and
describe how the project will launch new programming or scale existing programming aimed at
reaching currently eligible beneficiaries that are currently underserved. Applicants should
demonstrate clearly how the project will create added benefits for the project service area’s VSB and
SEDI program infrastructure and provide data to support claims.
Applicants should provide information and data that they have used to design their proposed project
in a way that effectively addresses eligible beneficiaries’ needs, particularly information and data on
barriers to capital access and how the project will address those needs to connect beneficiaries to
identified opportunities. Information and data may include information from organizations and
businesses associated with eligible beneficiaries; historical records and research reports on the need
for small business TA services in the project service area; and statistical data on local economic
conditions such as unemployment or job-creation numbers.
Section 4: Key Partners and Project Support
Applicants should describe their current partner network, including public and private entities at the
national, state, regional, and local level, that will be working on the project. Applicants should identify
the TA providers they plan to work with under the SSBCI Investing in America SBOP or examples of TA
providers that are representative of the network of providers they intend to work with. If target
partners are not identified, applicants should describe their strategy for identification and outreach.
Through the application evaluation criteria, Treasury will prioritize applicants that demonstrate how
they improve on any self-identified limitations in their traditional networks to engage new and
innovative partnerships, beyond the reach of their formula SSBCI TA Grant programs.
Applicants should describe partners’ roles and responsibilities on the project and include information
about any past collaboration efforts. Applicants should also describe concrete outreach plans to
engage new partners that will support the project.
Applicants should describe their strategy to reach VSBs and SEDI-owned businesses, such as regular
internal organization meetings to assess project implementation and planned outreach efforts (e.g.,
publicity, e-mail campaigns, neighborhood canvassing).
As part of Section 4, the applicant must address the statutory requirement relating to prioritization of
SEDI-owned TA providers by describing efforts to prioritize SEDI-owned providers to work on the
project. If an applicant chooses to contract with third parties to deliver TA services, the applicant must
prioritize providers that are SEDI-owned businesses, consistent with any applicable federal, state, and
local requirements. In its application, the applicant must explain how it will implement this
requirement and prioritize such providers. For purposes of this requirement, prioritization may be
satisfied by having (i) a partnership with one or more SEDI-owned TA providers, or (ii) procurement
processes, outreach efforts, and a program design that enables SEDI-owned TA providers to be
reached.
Section 5: Organizational Capacity and Experience

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Number of eligible beneficiaries that received TA services;
2017 North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) for each eligible beneficiary;
Primary purpose of the TA service or TA services provided to each eligible beneficiary; and
Identity of each TA provider.

See section D.2.b.iii of the NOFO for sample performance measures.
As noted above, the Program Design and Substance should be a maximum of 15 total pages (12 pt. font,
one-inch margins), including any exhibits or attachments. Material beyond 15 pages will not be
considered.
Please upload Program Design and Substance.

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U.S. Department of the Treasury (Treasury)
State Small Business Credit Initiative (SSBCI)
Investing in America Small Business Opportunity Program (SSBCI Investing in America SBOP)
Draft Status – January 11, 2024. Please see Draft Status information below.
Section 6: Proposed Budget and Narrative Justification
Section 6.1: Proposed Budget
Enter the requested amounts in the fields below. The amounts entered below must correspond to the
amounts in the detailed budget and narrative justification template you upload in Section 6.2. Please
note that depending on your proposed plan, not all fields will require dollar amounts.
Direct Costs by Budget Category (total of federal and non-federal)
SSBCI Investing in America SBOP Prop. Budget Personnel Costs
SSBCI Investing in America SBOP Prop. Budget Fringe Benefits Costs
SSBCI Investing in America SBOP Prop. Budget Travel Costs
SSBCI Investing in America SBOP Prop. Budget Equipment Costs
SSBCI Investing in America SBOP Prop. Budget Supplies Costs
SSBCI Investing in America SBOP Prop. Budget Contractual Costs
SSBCI Investing in America SBOP Prop. Budget Other Costs
Total Indirect Costs
SSBCI Investing in America SBOP Prop. Budget Total Indirect Costs
Non-Federal Funds
SSBCI Investing in America SBOP Prop. Budget Match/Cost Share Amt (Note: Cost sharing or
matching is only required if the eligible applicant proposes to add funds to carry out the project
from a funding source other than the Federal Government.)
SSBCI Investing in America SBOP Prop. Budget Program Income (Note: Enter the estimated amount
of income, if any, expected to be generated from this SSBCI Investing in America SBOP. Do not
add or subtract this amount from the Total Program Costs. Use the space below to provide a
narrative statement on the nature and source of the program income and articulate any
assumptions on the amount of program income.
Does the applicant have a current Negotiated Indirect Cost Rate Agreement (NICRA) or Cost
Allocation Plan? Yes/No
Please upload the NICRA or Cost Allocation Plan.
Section 6.2: Narrative Justification of Budget
Please use the link here to download the template for the detailed narrative justification to support the
amounts entered for each budget category above.
The applicant must provide a budget narrative using Treasury’s budget narrative template, linked above.
The applicant must identify and explain how funds in each line item of the budget will be used to
support the proposed SSBCI Investing in America SBOP project. The budget narrative must provide
specific justification for all budget categories that apply, including eligible direct cost categories (i.e.,
personnel, fringe benefits, travel, equipment, supplies, contractual, and other), eligible indirect costs,
and program income. The budget narrative must include an explanation of the necessity, allowability,
reasonableness, and allocability of proposed costs.
Eligible costs will be determined in accordance with 2 CFR Part 200, Subpart E and other program
guidance, including Section D.2.b.iv of the NOFO. Each cost category should be treated consistently in
like circumstances as direct or indirect costs, and applicants must not double-count any costs as both
direct and indirect costs. The budget narrative should not repeat information provided in the Program

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States the amount; and
States or evidences that the funds are available, committed, and unencumbered.

Matching funds that do not have corresponding letters of commitment will not be considered in the
application review process. Applicants are not required to submit a corresponding letter if they do not
propose matching funds.
Each letter of commitment must be signed by an authorized representative of the contributing
organization and should include that organization’s contact information, to enable Treasury to verify the
terms included in the document. Each letter must:
•
•

State the complete value of the cash matching funds; and
State or evidence that, at the time of award, the matching funds:
o Are committed to the project;
o Will be available as needed; and
o Are not conditioned or encumbered in any way that would preclude their use consistent
with the requirements of an SSBCI Investing in America SBOP award.

Please upload any letter(s) of commitment for non-federal matching funds.

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U.S. Department of the Treasury (Treasury)
State Small Business Credit Initiative (SSBCI)
Investing in America Small Business Opportunity Program (SSBCI Investing in America SBOP)
Draft Status – January 11, 2024. Please see Draft Status information below.
Section 7: Assurances and Certifications
Section 7.1: Form SF-LLL – Disclosure of Lobbying Activities (if applicable)
Form SF-LLL is required for an applicant to disclose any lobbying activities pursuant to 31 U.S.C. § 13.52.
If an applicant does not have any lobbying activities to disclose, Form SF-LLL is not required to be
submitted with the application.
Check if not applicable because no there are no lobbying activities to disclose. Please upload the
completed form.
Section 7.2: Assurances of Compliance with Civil Rights Requirements
If approved, SSBCI Investing in America SBOP recipients must comply with legal requirements related to
nondiscrimination and nondiscriminatory use of federal funds, where such laws are applicable to a
recipient and any subrecipient or contractor operating program activities on the recipient’s behalf. To
confirm that you will comply with these legal requirements if approved for SSBCI Investing in America
SBOP funding, all state, D.C., and territory applicants must download, review, and have the SSBCI
Investing in America SBOP Authorized Official sign the assurances of compliance with civil rights
requirements form.
Please upload the completed form.
Section 7.2A: Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 Narrative Form (if applicable)
Any state, the District of Columbia, or territory that is recommended for funding under the SSBCI
Investing in America SBOP will be required to undergo a Title VI of the Civil Rights Act pre-award
compliance review before being funded and be required to complete a Title VI Narrative form that will
be separately provided by Treasury. To expedite this review, applicants may, but are not required to
submit a Title VI Narrative form. If any item listed in the Title VI Narrative form is not relevant to the
project for which federal financial assistance is requested, the item should be marked as “not
applicable.” Applicants may refer to Treasury’s guidance on limited English proficient (LEP) persons
when preparing their application for providing language assistance to persons with limited English
proficiency.
In lieu of a Title VI Narrative form, applicants may submit a Title VI compliance form recently prepared
and submitted (within one calendar year) to another federal agency to expedite this pre-award
compliance review. If any information required by Treasury in the Title VI Narrative form is not included
in the other agency’s Title VI compliance form, the missing information should be submitted with the
application on the Title VI Narrative form to expedite the pre-award compliance review.
See Section E.4 of the NOFO for more information on the Title VI of the Civil Rights Act pre-award
compliance review.
Please upload the documentation.

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Section 7.3: SSBCI Investing in America SBOP Assurances and Certifications
All applicants must review, sign, and submit the SSBCI Investing in America SBOP Assurances and
Certifications. Please read these documents carefully, as a signature on each document is treated as a
material representation of fact upon which reliance will be placed when Treasury makes an award
determination regarding your application. If awarded, these Assurances and Certifications will become
part of the grant agreement.
Please upload the completed forms.

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Letters from other jurisdictions, including municipalities, demonstrating a plan to coordinate on
a regional approach (as consistent with Section C.1 above); and
Letters of partnership support, which detail the specific roles and responsibilities of engaged
project partners.

Though these documents are not required for a complete application, applicants that provide such
documentation will be prioritized through the evaluation criteria. Applicants should not include
information not directly related to their application under this NOFO; Treasury will not consider
information that is unrelated to the application or repeats information required in other sections of this
application.
Please upload programmatic supporting documentation.

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U.S. Department of the Treasury (Treasury)
State Small Business Credit Initiative (SSBCI)
Investing in America Small Business Opportunity Program (SSBCI Investing in America SBOP)
Draft Status – January 11, 2024. Please see Draft Status information below.
Section 9: Application Certification and Submission
The SSBCI Investing in America SBOP Authorized Official specified in Section 4.2 or official with
delegated authority specified in Section 4.2A must sign your application using a DocuSign electronic
signature.
By electronically signing and submitting this application, the applicant and the identified SSBCI Investing
in America SBOP Authorized Official or official with delegated authority certify under penalty of perjury
that:
1. all the information provided in this application and in email and other forms of communication
to Treasury about this application is true and correct;
2. the eligible applicant has and shall retain documentation and records to support the information
provided in this application;
3. the SSBCI Investing in America SBOP Authorized Official or official with delegated authority will
distribute and notify all Co-Applicants (if applicable), entities, and organizations listed in this
application of the status and documentation associated with this application, if applicable; and
4. the applicant shall make such supporting documents and records available upon request.
5. The SSBCI Investing in America SBOP Authorized Official listed in this application, and any official
with delegated authority signing on that official’s behalf, as applicable, has the authority to
submit this application on behalf of the jurisdiction listed in Section 4.1.
After you click the button SUBMIT APPLICATION FOR AUTHORIZED SIGNATURE below, an email will be
sent to the SSBCI Investing in America SBOP Authorized Official in Section 4.2 or official with delegated
authority in Section 4.2A with your completed application and a DocuSign link to electronically sign the
application.
Please ensure the email addresses provided in Sections 4.2 and 4.2A are active and correct.
WARNING: Anyone who knowingly submits a false claim or makes a false statement is subject to
criminal and/or civil penalties, including confinement for up to 5 years, fines, and civil penalties
(18 U.S.C. §§ 287, 1001; 31 U.S.C. §§ 3729, 3802). Treasury may refer any allegations of fraud, waste, or
abuse in connection with SSBCI to the Treasury Inspector General.
Thank you for submitting your application for signature. An email with a DocuSign electronic signature
link has been sent to your Authorized Official in Section 4.2 or the official who has been delegated
authority in Section 4.2A to electronically sign the application on SSBCI Investing in America SBOP
Authorized Official’s behalf.
Your application is not complete or official until Treasury receives the electronically signed
application. Please make sure your SSBCI Investing in America SBOP Authorized Official in Section 4.2
or official with delegated authority specified in Section 4.2A receives and responds to the email with
the DocuSign electronic signature link.

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File Type	application/pdf
Author	Edward Hau
File Modified	2024-01-10
File Created	2024-01-10